The aroma of butter and cooked wheat permeated that space.
It was a café filled with tables for two or four, and between those tables...
"Hey, Kirikari, about that outfit..."
Kimura called out to the crossdresser who was waiting the tables in nothing but an apron. She glared and pointed at him from one of the tables for four, but she hesitated over what to say.
"Are you insane?"
...Please tell me yes. That would make this so much easier.
Over by the room's entrance, Suzaku glared at him and sent some kind of document to the nearby guard station, but it was likely arrangements for the meeting later that night. Maybe.
Meanwhile, the apron idiot placed a long pizza on the table.
"Eat up. I guess I'll be paying for you all."
"Isn't this your restaurant?"
"Technically, it's the place my mom originally used. I'm the part-time manager."
"I see," said Kagami sitting across from Hokari at the city-most table. She looked back and forth between Kimura and Jinsei before continuing. "They explained this to me on the way here. Kirikari reopened this place on a whim when he was no longer visiting the inner city Red Lightning."
"Right, right. Mom was originally here and someone else ran the other one, but when it ended up vacant for certain reasons, Mom closed this place and started using the other one. For a while, I ate breakfast at the other one, but I stopped when this and that happened. ...And around middle school, I didn't feel like just wandering around after school."
"That's right," chimed in the Hatohara brother who was passing out glasses of ginger ale.
He glanced to the spices on the kitchen counter, to the window, and to Jinsei.
"A lot happened here too. And when Jinsei-kun was wondering what to do, the government office showed up insisting all buildings in this area carry out some kind of duty. At first we sold his mom's inventory, but then he started cooking here too since we had the equipment."
"I see," said Kimura just as Kagami had.
She had heard about those guys' past when on an outing, but this was her first time hearing about this in particular. If she had not run across Jinsei earlier…
…It probably would have been a while before I had a chance to come here.
People are full of surprises, she thought. You try to understand them, but it's never enough.
And so she kept her eyes on Jinsei.
"You give things a lot of thought, don't you?"
"Yep, especially my gags."
The apron crossdresser lined up some tarts on the table.
Kimura heard some laughter from the side. It came from Arafune who turned to face Kagami.
"When Senzai told you about his past before, you didn't realize he was talking about this place, did you?"
"Right. I'm shocked... So is this something of a hideout for all of you?"
"That's right," said Jinsei. "Tetsu-chan, Pokari, you need to tell Kagami this stuff. You don't need to worry about my feelings. I know Kagami won't get any weird suspicions or anything."
"Well…"
Arafune scratched at his head and Kagami smiled his way.
"But I appreciate how they worry about people's feelings."
"I am glad to hear it..."
"Ha ha," laughed the crossdresser as he brought out another pizza.
What a harmonious atmosphere, thought Kimura. And...
...Is this their normal atmosphere? I haven't been around lately, so I can't figure them out just yet.
They tended to gather at school, the battlefield, or somewhere a lot like a battlefield. She could only think of one other time they had gathered somewhere private like this.
...Yes, it was when we gathered in front of the Red Lightning after winning.
It was a different location today, but it was still the Red Lightning.
But this still isn't their normal selves, she decided. The word "normal" hardly applies given the Mikado City's condition and the surrounding situation.
At the very least...
"We need to work toward a calm resolution."
And it's our job to make sure that happens, she added just before someone tapped her head just once.
She wondered what Jinsei was doing, but...
...Oh.
She remembered that she was not alone on this matter.
"—"
She decided to relax her shoulders and told herself she never again wanted to do something that would cause the others to lose their trust in her.
She gave a mental nod and the crossdresser handed a pizza cutter to Kon who sat across from him. Then he grabbed her hand.
"Cut it with this, Yuka. Got that? Don't do anything weird that'll scare me, okay?"
"Oh? But this would ruin the flavor, so could you let go of my hand first, Jinsei?"
"Tch. ...Oh, but we can't let it get cold. So Yuka, Mino-chan, Kagami, Kuni-chan, and the other one over there, feel free to get started. That leaves..."
"Right." Arafune raised his hand and pointed outside while operating his phone by the wall. "We have plans after this. ...Oh, and it involves a meal, so you don't have to worry about us."
Ōji smiled next to Kurauchi.
"We already ate."
"Then I'll wrap up a tart just like these and you can eat it after you get home."
"Thanks," said Ōji.
Kimura took that to mean he did not plan to eat much wherever he was going.
To the right of Kon, Minoru smiled a little as he took the plate of pizza Kon passed him.
"It's been so long since I've had one of Jinsei-kun's tarts. Can I have one too?"
"Sure, sure. I'll make room for five and cook them up, so any other takers?"
Everyone seemed to raise their hand, so Kimura did too.
A message appeared on every person's phone as if responding to his action.
White Fox: "Make one for us too! We'll be there right after we leave!"
Life: "If you insist. Maybe I'll throw in the pot stickers I've been working on lately."
White Fox: "No, thank you!"
The apron-wearing crossdresser nodded as Senshi sent word that they did want the pot stickers after all.
"Hmm, then I guess I'll have to cut them up. Is that okay, Sumi-chan? I'll make sure to also have some for your sisters ready for takeout."
"Eh!? Oh, y-yes…th-that's fine."
Kimura tried to figure out what Inukai's frantically waving hands were supposed to mean.
At any rate, Ōji lowered his arms and shoulders and tilted his head where he stood next to Arafune and Hokari.
"You asked us to join you, but is there any reason for us to be here? I can't stand being around the animal that's on his way, so hurry it up please."
Next to him, Kurauchi seemed to have the same question, albeit in a nicer manner. They were trying not to say anything unnecessary, but Kimura responded to their true question.
"Right. There is." Kimura faced Ōji. "The first order of business in this emergency meeting concerns your squad, Ōji. You guys are currently high up in the B-Ranks, but some agents and citizens wish to nominate you guys as a temporary aide to the newly formed Yagura Branch. As a nomination, it isn't settled yet, but at least understand that we are making the necessary preparations. In other words..."
In other words...
"They want you to become a part of the Yagura Branch."
.
The first to react was Kurauchi rather than Ōji. He shook his clothes as if to get something off.
"Are you attempting to take multiple squads to give this branch a better image?"
...I had a feeling they'd be cautious.
So Kimura spoke the rebuttal she had already prepared.
"How will adding a B-Rank squad other than Kageura and Ninomiya improve their image?"
That must have been what Kurauchi expected because he only said "I see" and corrected his posture. It was as if he had only wanted to know that Kimura understood that.
A sighing voice broke the silence that followed.
"Differences in rank mean different things to different people, don't they?"
It was Murakami who sat across from Kimura on Kon's left. He grabbed a slice of pizza and his nose twitched as the apron crossdresser carried over a pot of egg and spinach.
"This is purely meant to strengthen certain areas, isn't it? After all..."
He was briefly distracted when Kon fanned the over the aroma of the pot and plate the idiot handed her, but he finally recovered.
"Excuse me. ...Um, to be blunt, it isn't just the new Yagura Branch. I have been asked to see if any other squad would like to join some branches. Tamakoma being the exception to that seeing as how they are crazy in their own right."
"Yes. I see." Kurauchi erased his expression. "When will this new branch be made again?"
The answer came from Mizukami who was leaning against the wall opposite Kurauchi and to Kimura's left.
"Supposedly, it's already finished, havin' been bought out to use as the branch office. Yuki's said today that any extra details to it'll be brought up later on. Said it's best to know who's gonna be in it before movin' things around without a care."
"Have you two just ignored an important person in that branch or what? The branch is up and active for a while now. 'Yuki' has already gone on television with others to promote it. It is also the reason for this meeting."
A bitter smile rang out as Mizukami shrugged and looked Kimura's way.
"Kimura, where's Kanzaki? I've been going back'n forth on whether I should be the one to tell 'er that she's also under consideration for that new branch."
"Oh, Kanzaki went to the Hisama Red Lightning by mistake. ...Why are all of you hanging your heads?"
I did explain it to her, but since she can be a little hardheaded, maybe she thought I was mistaken. But anyway...
"It would be a pain to have her head over here now, so I told her to eat there. ...Suzaku."
"Yes, I'm keeping a log of the meeting, so I'll send it to everyone involved with a security program. When people are taking part via message, there's a possibility of someone spying on it."
"Hm? Umi, someone could be spying over the network?"
"Good question," replied Kimura while shaking her head.
Is this what Inukai's gesture before meant? she wondered with a bitter smile in her heart.
"Normally, most meetings in Border and it's members are sent to the directors, branch managers, any other related departments, and the squads who have their captains involved. It's to make sure that things are properly sent out to those who matter."
"I would rather not think about it," said Arafune, "but does that mean everyone's been seeing the awful things we say and do?"
"Arafune, the meetings are generally focused on those who are important, you know?"
"Right." Kon nodded expressionlessly. "You have nothing to worry about, Kimura. Just because your jokes bomb does not mean you actually lose any...thing..."
She trailed off and an odd sweat began pouring down her face. After a moment, she looked to Fuyushi Koari by the wall.
"Please help me out. Make it something funny. Yes, Kimura's life depends on it."
"Ehh!? Why me!? I'm not a funny girl!"
"You must have very high standards for 'funny', Fuyushi. ...Now, go."
"Eh? Go? Um, wait..."
Sensing everyone's focus on her, Fuyushi blushed and pressed her back against the wall. Finally, she squeezed her arms around her breasts to accentuate the two mounds and the parting line down the center.
"Look, I have a butt on my chest."
.
Black Wolf: "She's our class representative, so why does she always come up with that kind of joke? Does she want people like Kunichika to take notes for the SS?"
Zoe: "Um, I'm on guard duty out front, but can I click my tongue?"
Kuma: "I'm on guard duty too, but can you all please get back on topic?"
Guest: "Ahhhh, I'm sorry everyone..."
.
"That's right," said Kimura.
She put a slice of pizza in her mouth and wished she had waited until after this to take a bath.
...For now, us lot and some extras can share what's going on.
"Unofficial Secretary Akashi isn't here...but let's get started anyway."
"Right," agreed Suzaku. "Akashi was scheduled to check the resources on the inner part of Mikado, so he should be here after that. He's probably digging through pointless things."
"C'mon, Umi-chin, he's a member of your squad. We know he isn't that kind of guy. ...If he was digging through them, he'd definitely be giving us an overly-excited running commentary. Something else must be keeping him."
"Hm, what could he be doing?"
Kunichika and Tōma, the one currently next to her, both tilted their heads and Kageura spoke up next to them.
"We should inform the directors that there's an idiot in Border. And probably get them to renew any contracts with sponsors."
"Right. Umi-chin, can you wait five seconds to start the meeting? ...There, all done!"
As soon as Kunichika smiled and tapped the "approved" mark on her phone, Suzaku nodded.
"Then I'll place the jamming using the network Kiricchi has at his home. I'll make sure Yucchi and SenSen are automatically added in once they arrive."
SenSen: "Roger that."
A few windows blossomed on their screens and Kimura saw her surroundings grow a little bright. Then she heard a distant sound like rustling bamboo grass.
...An information-blocking jamming, huh?
Suddenly, she heard Suzaku's voice.
"Ah! Excuse me! That's it! Wait! Please leave everything as is!"
Kimura turned around to find Suzaku pointing their way. His finger and Minoru and Mizukami's gazes were all directed toward something.
"Fuyushi's phone!"
.
Suzaku saw it clearly. The bright screen of Fuyushi's phone was staticky, but it did not go away.
One tab would occasionally appear independent of Fuyushi's will.
...It really did come out!?
Fuyushi's account came from a guest approval situation on their current chat, so it did not belong to a Border member which would normally have no issues.
That was why Fuyushi's phone had reacted to Suzaku's information-blocking jamming.
A normal independent account would be caught by the defense program and automatically rejected.
This one, however, was forcibly negating that, even if it had grown somewhat staticky.
...But this information-blocking jamming uses the same format as most other ones we use.
"What is this, Suzaku?"
Fuyushi herself focused on Suzaku without seeming particularly worried. If it was a simple program, Suzaku had the specialist knowledge to understand what it meant. But more importantly...
"Hey, do you mind if I mess around a bit with your stuff?"
Fuyushi shook her head while handing her phone to Suzaku. He pulled up some things in his laptop and held it up for Fuyushi to see.
"I can only guess at this point, but that is most likely a program meant to link Fuyushi's account to our own Border ones without making a proper one for her. If her phone isn't too cluttered with things, I should be able to sync with it using my own program. Fuyushi, can you just press 'Yes' and install it?"
"Right. You need permission from the actual owner, don't you?"
"Yes, exactly. You should be able to install it like that."
Suzaku inhaled once and continued.
"But this is your decision, Fuyushi. This program is meant to sync your guest account with our Border network, which will make it much more convenient for you to take part in our meetings. But the control information could have other applications depending on how it is used, so it could lead to something neither of us wants. So..."
"Suzaku."
Fuyushi used her finger to slide the torii icon on the screen Suzaku held up for her and she placed her own phone on top of it.
"I want to join Border the next time I can. For now I just have to stick with being a guest in these kinds of things that you all kindly invite me to at times. So I'm fine with this or that happening to my stuff if I can continue to be of use without currently being a part of anything."
"Beginning Confirmation."
Everyone looked to the displayed words. Suzaku knew them quite well.
"It's performing a quarantine inspection. It has to be sure the program I created is safe."
"Authenticated: Border Engineering Department."
"Inspection: Sexual Inspection — Incomplete, Perversion Inspection — Incomplete, R-Rating Inspection — Incomplete."
"Wow..."
The others backed away and a dull sweat appeared on Suzaku's face.
…This is standard! I swear this is a standard check! Actually... I'm pretty sure someone in the department put it in as a prank and never took it out...
Fuyushi gave a mysterious thumb's up, but Suzaku had no idea how to respond.
At any rate, the inspection soon finished and the program was incorporated. All of the windows closed.
"Did it fail, Suzaku?"
"No, it just needs to restart. Fuyushi, if you want to message or talk to anyone then just press this and this."
Fuyushi did as she was told and a window appeared at her fingertips. But...
"Border?"
"No, it just uses one of our networks to call up whatever. See?"
As he spoke, the standard Border logo vanished and was replaced with something new.
Satisfied with the impressed voices coming from the others, Suzaku explained to Fuyushi.
"It wasn't installed directly to your phone. Instead, I had it installed to your phone's spare space. So when it starts up, it activates one of our programs which calls in and stabilizes your account. The internal processing simply recorded your authorization procedure and won't interfere with the main process, so it should be safer."
"Oh?" Mizukami raised his eyebrows as he looked to Fuyushi's phone screen and commented with the others. "Umi, you've got some surprising talents."
"Yes, I'm surprised you can do this, Umi-kun."
"I know, right? It's really surprising that Suzaku can do this."
"Um, I get the feeling you're rejecting a big part of me. Besides, technology is advancing so much that I have to keep up with it."
Fuyushi gave another thumb's up, so Suzaku did the same.
Fuyushi then made her tab appear and disappear a few times, but...
"Right. Understood. ...Thank you very much, Suzaku."
"No, no. With a unique account like yours, it's safer for both of us if we have a way of speaking to each other. I will do whatever I can if you have any problems, so I look forward to working with you. ...Okay, um, Kimura, sorry for the interruption."
Kimura smiled bitterly and nodded his way, but...
"Sorry we're late!"
The café door opened and two colors entered along with the outside air. The black and red wore uniforms and both had older brother-like appearances.
"Oh, Yucchi and SenSen are here. ...Sorry about all the time spent on setup, Kimura. You can start the meeting now."
.
"Okay."
Kimura inhaled.
She opened her mouth after noting that everyone's focus had shifted back to her after turning toward Yuki and Senshi as they sat by the wall.
"For the upcoming secret meeting with a representative for the masses, I wanted to gather you fools who are still awake to check over our current and future policies. Rather, some of you are best for opinions, others for information, and the last bit simply because extra brains will help."
She was confident they all pretty much knew who those were.
"Currently, we are dealing with the effects that our battles during the invasion will have on Mikado and other areas. While it is not as bad as the immediate days after the invasion, it is still lingering today. 'Yuki' is the one who is suppose to be the center of what will be happening, but he has asked us for help."
"Kawa, have you made a decision about what comes next?"
"Yes," said Kimura. "As someone who works with the PR Department at times, I know the situation concerning other things. That includes the current issues with some of our sponsors. Some of them have been considering stopping their sponsorship towards Border due to the damage done to the city. Besides that, others need to be informed that their money will be directed towards the new Yagura Branch for a while."
But...
"Netsuki-san has currently put me in charge of taking care of some of these sponsors since he is focusing on the new Yagura Branch along with the other directors. So my tentative plan is to keep cooperation with the sponsors as our bare minimum standard here. Only after getting a major sponsor on our side will we move on to smaller ones."
In other words...
"At tonight's secret meeting with a representative for the masses, we need to establish a pipeline with the sponsors via recording. In my mind, that is our best possible move here."
.
The smell of butter filled the café and so did a voice. The voice belonged to Kimura who was rubbing her shoulder.
"We are about to hold a secret meeting with a representative of the masses who will ultimately becomes our way towards trust. This will be broadcasted to others who will be considered 'fellow representatives' since we don't want a flock of people in one place without a proper meeting spot. This is so that people won't leave everything in the hands of a single person and won't complain about the outcome. They will all be people who have authorities in Mikado City of course."
"Kawa, could you dumb that down a little for me?"
At the idiot's request, Kimura tried to figure out how to get even him to understand.
...Although he's probably giving this a lot of thought. I can't be too mean to him, she decided before putting on a smile and answering.
"Okay, today Kimura-sensei will be telling you about the important sponsors and others that live in Mikado City and other places yet are coming over here to see if they want to help. Oh? Kirikari-kun, why are you dressed like that? Did you hit your head?"
"D-damn you. Did you have to bring it down to an elementary school level!?"
An elementary school level is really pretty high lately, she thought while ignoring him.
"Anyways, um, let's keep this simple. My suggestion is to support the businesses of the sponsors, since they will be the ones to help Border, and to gather support from the general public. ...But first, we need to understand the situation around Mikado City."
Kimura had Suzaku display an image with a map of Mikado City. Everyone easily recognized it.
She spread her fingers apart on the image to enlarge it and then tapped it to brighten it.
"These places are where the major businesses are and are currently fighting for power in the industry. One of these businesses belongs to a Shiraishi family. A rather popular surname. They currently have the most important business at the moment."
She lightly tapped Mikado City's eastern side and then tapped towards the right.
"The second one will be Kobayashi. They are the most humble. What's more, we have some leverage there."
She then traced her finger down from one place to another as if placing a lid on the side of the other two. She knew that she was getting a look from Minoru but chose to ignore it for the time being.
"The last one is Kurosaki. These three sponsors originally used discussion to make a show of conflict while secretly seeking a peaceful completion of their company's outward arguments. They probably wanted to avoid the danger of fighting in a place that has Gates opening every day."
Yuki nodded and spoke in his usual calm voice.
"What were their official conflicts like before they were forced to be checked on by others of the same mind."
"Originally, Kurosaki opposed both Shiraishi and Kobayashi, Kobayashi had Kurosaki to their east and Abe on their west, and Shiraishi clashed with Kurosaki from the east. Of course, both Shiraishi and Kurosaki have fallen silent since the invasion came and destroyed multiple things. And while Kobayashi is continuing their fight against Abe, they've stopped any anti-Kurosaki actions. Altogether, the current balance of power looks like this.
— Border Sponsor Business Powers
Shiraishi: Has most of Japan's business - Use to oppose Kurosaki, currently not fighting.
Kurosaki: Has the second leading business in Japan - Used to oppose Shiraishi and Kobayashi, currently not fighting.
Kobayashi: Is placed within the top twenty of Japan's business industry - Currently fighting Abe.
"In other words," said Suzaku as he checked some thing in his computer screen. "In Border's current state, negotiating with Shiraishi would be the safest and closest option. But these three sponsors have strong connections thanks to those peaceful discussions, right?"
Kon took over from there. She licked some cheese from her index finger and turned her somewhat wrinkled brow toward the others.
"Those sponsors will be updated twice: once when other sponsoring businesses and families make their decision and once when Border makes its decision. With that in mind, the different sponsors should be letting the future heads of the businesses interact to prepare for the peaceful progression and resolution of their official fights by helping Border."
"'n' so other sponsors have prevented the three business from that peaceful resolution?" ask Mizukami. "Now, I understand why they'd hold Kurosaki, Shiraishi, and Kobayashi in check. The odds're good we'd end up work'n with 'em. I dunno know if this was the other sponsors' doin' or an independent decision of those three businesses, but why have Kurosaki and Shiraishi end their conflict? Is there a good reason for that?"
Kimura and everyone else looked around when they heard Mizukami's question. They all looked to each other in search of someone.
Zoe: "It feels weird when the unofficial secretary isn't here to say 'That's an excellent question!'"
Kuma: "You people have the weirdest sense of unity."
...It's not so much unity as it is something we feel obliged to do.
This must be tough for an 18-year-old beginner. I've been stuck at the speed limit myself.
However, one person in the group did move: Kon. She turned around to look at everyone there, locked onto her target, and expressionlessly opened her mouth.
"Do you know the answer, Arafune-kun!? Do you know why those three businesses have ended their conflict!?"
"Ehh!? Me!?"
Kimura felt sorry for him but also felt no desire to take over for him. Meanwhile, Hokari smiled toward Arafune and placed his hands on his cheeks in a patronizing manner.
"Oh, my. You know the answer, Arafune-sama? You know why those three businesses have ended their conflict?"
"Yeah! I do!"
Arafune immediately answered with a clenched fist.
.
...The most important thing in life is to remain positive on the inside!
As Arafune did his best to convince himself of that, Yuki wrote "That's loser talk" on his own phone and showed it to him, but he decided to ignore it. He knew what he had to say first.
"Most likely, the three businesses ended their conflict because the other businesses asked them to. ...After all, their conflict is rather dangerous with the appearance of two people."
Because...
"It is related to Yuki and his family."
.
Arafune heard everyone quiet down. As they stopped moving and speaking, he alone nodded.
"This is all about the family who had a lot of enemies. From what I remember, there have been multiple times in which Shiraishi or Kurosaki go against Kobayashi, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue to start another one back up for appearances. However, doing so would cause a bit of trouble related to the Taiyōko name."
After all...
"While there are many ways to make it seem like they dislike each other - and later might add someone else - there is one family that seems to always get between anything done by businesses and those leading them."
.
"Listen." Arafune raised two fingers. "There are two records of openly fighting between Kurosaki or Shiraishi and Yuki's parents aka the Taiyōko family. The first was because of the children. When the oldest child had been outplayed the best of the business at a young age, the ones running it were not pleased. They wanted payment for what that child had done when she was in their building."
Arafune took a breath.
"The other open fight was because of their views on Neighbors and what they had seen from the small group of Border members. When they had seen what could be done by a Trigger, they wanted to make sure that everyone had one to defend from the Neighbors. This was far different than a simple skirmish with a business since Border we know today was not around."
"Um, can I ask something?" The idiot raised his hand. "What does it matter if Yuki's siblings are here? I mean, everything you said had to do with their parents and isn't that the only reason for the fights?"
"Taiyōko Kushikage was involved in the first open battle and created the first opposing force of her family because of what she did."
Meaning...
"This is not a single person-focused issue like it might sound like in which we can just blame one person for everything. When you think about it as a whole, the fact that all four children of the Taiyōko family are in Border, and all in the new branch that their money will be going to, it causes problems for those who actively opposed them in what they did. They can be viewed as heroes in the eyes of Japan's people, but that's all there is to it."
"True," muttered Tōma while crossing his arms with his empty glass between his fingers. "Everyone who opposed them really have been 'taking their time' when it comes to expressing their opposition on the matter. If that's so they can delay their decision because 'they haven't done anything yet', then I can see why they would want to finally send someone to talk to us. After the incident on the television with Yuki, they could have found a reason. What's more is that with Awdry's parents around now, a major opposition for anyone who has the inherited name of 'Taiyōko' had appeared to back them up."
"Most likely," agreed Arafune.
"Yuki-kun?" asked Kon as she looked to Yuki.
Arafune could still see a smile on the guy's face, but he had stopped moving for a while now.
Kon looked at him with lowered eyebrows, as did Minoru and Suzaku. Kageura held out a pizza cut into small slices.
"How about you eat some more? Saying anything concerning your parents is always a touchy subject and we know that better than others do. You're putting up with it because you're being selfishly selfless and...yes, that guy out there needs to be re-tested."
Zoe: "Yeah, maybe it's because of how much I like spring rolls from other places. Sorry, but this is going to delay any special trips."
Manager: "Well, we are kind of busy at right now, so it doesn't matter if they are delayed."
I wonder where we'll end up going, thought Arafune. And...
"Yuki? Why are you being so still?"
Yuki pointed to the oddly spacing out idiot in only an apron.
"Eh? Oh, yeah. It isn't a big deal...well, maybe it is."
"What is it?"
"Right." The idiot nodded and looked to Kimura. "Kawa, you aren't used to wearing odd clothes, are you? The underarm is cut wider than normal ones and your sleeves aren't attached very tightly, so when you lean forward to eat the pizza, I can see right inside."
Kimura quickly wrapped her arms around her body and the other girls checked their own underarms.
Then the idiot turned to Arafune.
"Speaking for 'Yuki', confrontation have been stopped because of the new branch, right?"
"Correct. Any opposition from either side has been stopped by placing Taiyōko Kushikage and Taiyōko Mukuro in the same branch under the care of Akasora-san... But even if they want to avoid these confrontations, they can't stop advancing their lives entirely. And it is likely Border is preparing for this."
"Can they please both sides?"
"Let me say it again: we can't just put the blame on one person. Anyone opposing the Taiyōko family will generally have a hard time since that family is made up of crazy people. But there is still a way to salvage anything from these sponsors. And that would be..."
That would be...
"If someone from the Taiyōko family shows humility. A person who replaced their name for the sake of others. When Yuki changed his name, he did it so that he would not be recognized as a member of that family. It was a selfish decision that was made for other people. With his name being 'Tsukiko' instead of 'Taiyōko', his friends would not have to be associated with someone from that family."
Akashi would be having a field day with this if he were here, thought Arafune as he showed a screen tab to everyone. It contained a timeline of the conflicts and other information he had mentioned.
.
Arafune's Summarized Notes
—Taiyōko conflicts with Japanese business.
—Problem child ruins it all
Taiyōko Kushikage thought herself superior to the tops of different businesses and ruined property by trying to show herself off.
Businesses make a counterattack afterwards, but are forced back due to Taiyōko's influence and ability to win battles of words.
—Going against Border before it was really Border.
Taiyōko had thought it best for everyone to have some sort of defense against Neighbors.
This went into an unofficial fight between the family over safety of Japan.
.
"Why do you write your notes just like you talk?"
"I thought they might be a little too formal otherwise..."
But that summed up the events well enough.
"At some point from now on, they might try to do something about Yuki's siblings but will ultimately be unable to do so and just join together. However, some of them might be worn down by this last invasion that destroyed a good amount of buildings belonging to those businesses. That should make them reluctant to go against Border and choose to support it again."
"Then...why do we need to try and regain their support?" Kurauchi tilted his head. "If them teaming up to deal with Tsukiko's siblings will end in failure regardless of what happen then why even bother with all that trouble? I don't see the point in wasting time like that when other things could be done. Even if one of them wants to wait before starting anything, one of them would notice and put them all at a standstill."
"I can explain that one."
Kimura was the one to speak up.
.
Kimura retightened the underarms of her clothes and opened a few tabs. She had met her father during the day and the Directors had sent her some information afterwards, so she based this on that information.
"These businesses use money and influence as a show of force. ...But Kurauchi-san, your question is related to what could be done towards the city and the general public, isn't it?"
"Correct," said Kurauchi. "Thanks to everything that has happened, some businesses should have a difficult time bringing themselves back up for trusting Border. That makes me think they should be helping to better Border's image in the eyes of the people."
"I agree with you there."
Unfortunately, she was forced to add a "but".
"But while Shiraishi's reason is unknown, we do know why others are giving in to this kind of issue."
That being...
"They can't make it seem like it's some small detail they can just overlook in the long run. Some things the Taiyōko family did were recently made public by the first child herself. Taiyōko Kushikage is not someone a normal person can overlook."
.
Murakami felt a faint tremor run down his back. After all...
...Kushikage-san is the only one who knows how their parents died.
Murakami was still getting on good terms with the second child of the family when it had been determined that Taiyōko Kaseki and Taiyōko Kesshō had died of unknown causes, but he had still asked the second child about it. He had come to know how the oldest child treated others and had feared her.
After all, when he had been told of the things she did as a child, he had felt as if he could see it all happen before his own eyes. Of course, it had only been after he official met her that he realized what kind of person she actually was. It made his view on her that much more terrible.
"You put here that Kushikage-san visited some businesses to 'check in how they were doing' a bit ago, didn't you?"
Mizukami quietly clicked his tongue and spoke with disinterest in his voice.
"So it's due to how those visits ended, right? And Taiyōko was...?"
"Right." Kimura nodded. "For now, we don't know what happened with her, but we have received word that Taiyōko Kushikage had arrived to a conclusion about something concerning these businesses and Border, even without the directors knowing about it."
She had heard that from some random workers during the day.
"So that's it," said Mizukami. "Awdry took control of some companies as a part of some expansion, according to some people. That put 'em in range of Kurosaki, so they used the businesses to see Taiyōko. Is that what happened? But Kimura, what happened to Taiyōko after she left those businesses?"
"That is not exactly good news." Murakami explained what he knew about the businesses after asking his former teacher. "Kushikage-san... When she had left the buildings of those businesses, those businesses stated they would be slowing production within Mikado City. In other words...Kushikage-san can now say whether those businesses continue to function or not."
.
You're right about that not being good news, silently commented Arafune.
"Shiraishi also seems to be contemplating what to do about Taiyōko on suspicion of her working for Border's directors' wants. I believe that was put to a stop, but it could be a problem if that were used as a bargaining chip."
"True." Murakami turned his way. "Of course, that isn't all. Even with her family name, Kushikage-san can't just shut down businesses. The same goes for the brother that supports her. ...But she can interfere with them. We touched on this earlier, but..."
But...
"There are multiple businesses owned by families who opposed anyone who had the last name 'Taiyōko' and was related to that family. They had a great amount of influence, so their oldest child gained the influence the parents built up and can determine certain things."
Murakami's sharp gaze swept across the others.
"Do you understand? Kushikage-san has the right to fight those businesses and to determine the end results for some of them. Plus, she had a great military might and control to back it up."
.
This really is troublesome, thought Kimura.
Kushikage had temporarily been somewhere else and she had taken a few different measures to increase her value wherever she went. That took effect at times like these and held a lot of meaning towards non-Border related topics.
There was one way to overturn the situation.
"As Border and the ones who can fight against Neighbors, we have to confirm that Taiyōko will not be an issue and that they can trust us with defenses against anything coming through a Gate. But after the last invasion, some groups can't exactly trust us."
So...
"Border doesn't have much control here."
Kimura knew they were unreliable. Border's re-establishment of trust and the prevention of Kushikage's rampages was nothing more than words in the minds of the public who could not understand the situation. To her, relying on rules that said say they have to look perfect in the eyes of the people felt too dependent. But...
That reminds me of that girl. The one who is considered "perfect" by others.
She nodded her head and spoke up again.
"We need to make sure the safe world for others becomes a reality."
Those words brought everyone to a stop. After a while, they all turned toward her.
She took a deep breath amid those gazes that seemed expectant, interested, and like they were testing her.
...Looks like they aren't all trapped in a sense of helplessness.
Then we need to do something, she thought while clenching and raising her right fist.
"It's time we think about what to do. Yes, the time to think about what to 'do' has long since been 'due'."
They all gasped.
.
Ōji: "Now, what are we to do about this criminal?"
Pokari: "Why does Kimura always get ahead of herself like that?"
Artist: "Um, I'm sorry, but what did that mean?"
Manager: "Fine, I'm sorry! Yes, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay!?"
Life: "Well, I guess I'll go whip something up to cleanse our palates."
.
Kimura took a breath to pull herself together. The idiot went to the kitchen and Kon expressionlessly raised both her palms and told her "You're still fine, for now", but she wanted to ask what the "for now" meant.
"Um, listen. If Shiraishi and Kobayashi can't do anything because of others, we need to push them to take action. And we need to work with Shiraishi and - if possible - Kobayashi and Kurosaki as well. So first...
She decided to say something grandiose.
"We will bring things to a position where it seems like Border has complete control over Taiyōko."
She inhaled and looked across the others.
"Recreating a bit of history is the starting point. If we can get Kurosaki and Shiraishi to take action and set things up for the directors, Kobayashi can complete any preparations for attempts against them from Taiyōko. There are of course plenty of other conditions needed to handle that kind of problem, but we would be knocking off one of the big ones. Even more so if she doesn't have her youngest brother with her."
And to do that...
"In the coming meeting with Shiraishi, I want to set up a pipeline between us. Shiraishi owns a major company and is ultimately Border's biggest sponsor, so they take priority. We should both want to have a good relationship. ...But it's going to take a lot to get there."
But...
"Doing something about all that is my current job."
"Oh, hey, hey. Wait, Kawa."
The idiot's voice suddenly cut in.
"What?"
She turned around and found him carrying over some fried potatoes. She was not exactly thrilled since some bad memories came back, but...
"What is it, idiot?"
"Well, you've got a tendency to get all excited while thinking about all this complicated stuff, so let me give you a warning. Basically...well, I'm sure you know this, but when it comes to these things...no putting yourself in the place of others, okay?"
.
"—"
You have to hit me where it hurts, don't you? thought Kimura, but the idiot only nodded and set down the plate.
"That was our starting point and Yuki confirmed that before. It's important to us, right? You often determine the ending with the very first branch point, so you really need to pay careful attention to what happens in the begin-…What's that look for, Yuka!? It's so fresh!"
Kimura decided to ignore the idiot's nonsense, but it was true he had something of a point.
...Our starting point, huh?
That's true, she thought while relaxing her shoulders and looking to Kon, Inukai, and Murakami.
...None of us has forgotten our starting point.
But the well mannered Attacker quickly pulled back the chopsticks he was about use to grab one of the small pizza slices.
"Is something the matter? Why are you looking at me?"
"Right," replied Kimura as she adjusted her position in her chair.
...I can't believe this.
It was not that she had forgotten about her bad habit of taking over jobs for others. It had simply grown so natural for her that she had stopped focusing on it. In other words, she had grown careless.
You can't let yourself worry that idiot, she scolded herself.
"Kirikari is exactly right. If you cut out the more complicated parts, we have a single consensus: We want to create a world in which no one has to worry about attacks from Neighbors."
Kuma: "Then what are you going to do about this meeting with Shiraishi?"
There was only one answer to that question.
"We're going to use the future as a bargaining chip. There's a lot we have to do to reach that future, but Border will guide things to peace. It won't be easy, but using that as our foundation should be best."
Kimura took a breath at that point.
"Taiyōko used multiple things to gain influence over some businesses. Their defeats acted as a demonstration of what happens to anyone who opposes that family. She scared some into obedience by showing how thoroughly she would crush them. So we will get rid of that fear and we will get rid of any possibility that assume a loss.â€
So...
"If Taiyōko is going to ensure the future through fear, we will ensure the future by wiping away that fear."
Kimura looked to the side where the nudist crossdresser stood in his apron.
She briefly mistook him for a girl, so she gave him an expressionless command.
"Take off those clothes, you idiot."
"B-but you're always telling me to put clothes on! What kind of double standard is that!? But anyway..."
He smiled bitterly and tapped her head once.
...Are you telling me to do this right?
But then she heard him mutter something under his breath.
"I need to pull myself together too."
Only the few closest people would have heard him, but someone began moving before she could determine what he meant. It was Minoru by the wall.
The A-Rank All-Rounder saw his phone screen dancing after receiving a report from outside.
"Right, they're coming! I have a report from Nikko who saw a car with their logo on it and was confirmed by some others. Soka is also keeping track as a child in Kobayashi family."
A sound from outside played from Minoru's opened phone. It was the hard, solid, and piercing tremor of something sliding on the ground at high speed.
"I have a report from the east side of Mikado City!"
Suzaku's announcement a few seconds later provided the identity of the person.
"We have determined them to be Shiraishi's third child - Shiraishi Chisato!"
A few Border agents watched as a car rushed by them within the Forbidden Zone.
When it stopped with a screeching sound, a girl emerged from the vehicle.
"I am the third child of the Shiraishi family and the representative for them - Shiraishi Chisato. I am here for an unofficial meeting with Border."
The small girl had short black hair and the car gave off an almost angelic light behind her. It was just too bright. The light dimmed with a refreshing noise as Shiraishi Chisato raised her right hand.
Her eyebrows and drooping eyes bent.
"You can call me Chisato. Let's try to get along, okay?"
The hand raised next to what could technically be called a smile was visible from the hood she wore.
All four of her limbs were visible.