Yuki silently repeated the first thing Shiraishi Chisato had said.
...The Shiraishi family wishes to cut all ties with Border. Is that okay?
That meant they would be ending any kind of relationship, but there was more. That was only the beginning and the explanation followed.
"In other words...Border would be harmful to Shiraishi, so we would like to cut all ties."
The idea of cutting off any kind of connection between the two of them brought a chill to Yuki's heart.
This isn't good, he thought.
He had never expected this to immediately begin with an absolute severing of ties, but now that he thought about it, sending only their third child may have hinted at that.
What was he supposed to do?
Mi-Kon: "Ah! Yuki-kun! You're an amateur, so don't try prostrating! It's dangerous!"
Those crazy people really do think differently, he thought as something else happened.
"I suppose that concludes our talk," said Chisato as she gently spread her arms. "Time to leave!"
After a sharp shout, a car rushed from behind her. It was not too long and it opened its door automatically.
...Are we that far in regular technology!?
The opened door gave off a bright light as she started taking steps towards it, so she only needed to take those steps and wait for it to close.
Haru: "Eh? Wh-what's happening?"
TetsuG: "Negotiations have broken down! They set up the meeting and now they have ended it. And that means they've cut their ties with Border!"
It was a simple but effective method. Because this was unofficial, they could dodge the issue if another business asked them what had actually happened.
Kuma: "And this means Border will have to negotiate toward restoring their relationship with the Shiraishi family!"
…That's right!
They handled this well, thought Yuki as he held a hand against the light caused by the open door car.
If Chisato escaped here, anytime they faced the Shiraishi family, they would be forced to negotiate toward that restoration first and foremost. Even if it was the other side that had cut off all ties, the fact remained that they were no longer on amicable terms. So...
Shōgi Boy: "Just to check, do ya want me to stop'er with the car?"
Manager: "No, you can't do that. A clash like that would create an actual conflict to prove all ties had been cut."
Just as Suzaku said "in that case" in his own chat message, Chisato took her step into the open door car. Her legs produced a sound when hitting the inside and her short black hair was hidden under her hood.
She was leaving.
While taking the action, she gave Yuki a smile with the ends of her eyebrows somewhat lowered.
She was definitely smiling and then she opened her mouth.
"Farewell, Border members. ...You're going to have to deal with the businesses using business rules."
With those words, the bright light began to envelop her, but...
"Wait!"
A voice that was nearly a roar burst from the area behind the Border group.
Yuki recognized who it was without having to turn around, so he called his name.
"I don't know why you are here, but... 3rd B-Ranked Captain Ikoma Tatsuhito! You handle this!"
.
Chisato hesitated.
A shady-looking man appeared thirty meters ahead of her.
She judged him to be five feet and eight inches tall as he ran from the gap between the car and group. As the captain of Border's #3 B-Rank squad, he was capable of high-speed fighting and long distance combat if necessary. She was well aware of this man due to having been informed of the captains of Border.
He had come to a quick stop after running forward, but he could surely go into a sprint at any time. And when looking at their comparative initial speeds...
...He would reach me.
She was walking into a car, so he could not stand a chance against her once inside, but...
...Border has Triggers!
This is dangerous, she thought.
After all, Triggers were weapons used to fight off Neighbors and keep up high-speed battles that a normal person would be incapable of doing normally. That Trigger user would be able to determine whether her announcement of cut ties was in line with any agreement.
What would happen if they clashed and she was crushed by him?
"..."
Should I go? she hesitantly wondered.
I should, she decided. But it definitely could cause some later trouble.
Of course, she had techniques of dealing with that. She had techniques that would let her escape without getting caught.
...But...
As she thought, she placed one leg inside the car. If she pressed down her heel, she would instruct the car door to close.
She decided to do so and rely entirely on the car.
That's what I'll do, she decided as she left her decision and her body in the hands of the machine.
The light started to dim down as the man let out a noise.
"I've got a question."
What could that be? she thought.
If a simple question could stop me, I wouldn't be here in the first place, she also thought.
If anything, shouldn't he attack me to try to force the Shiraishi family to remain at the negotiating table? Or is he going to ask me whether I follow the proper safety procedures when operating my car?
But...
...Yes.
Even as she thought she should leave, she may have also wished to stay.
There was a reason. The Shiraishi family was currently faced with a complicated issue that required strength. But because of that...
"It is no use."
She spoke up in order to cut away the slight feeling floating up in her heart.
She then imagined flight for some strange reason.
However...
"I've got a question!" he said again.
...What?
What was he going to ask her? Just as she reached the divide between a desire to leave and a desire to stay, her mind focused on the B-Rank captain.
"Do ya like guys who can play guitar!? And do ya have any younger sisters who'd like that!?"
.
Yuki saw Chisato's odd car sputter out a weird sound as if it had given out.
...Oh, that was a nice reaction. Was that so incomprehensible that even the car couldn't take it? Yeah. We don't understand that guy too much either.
As Yuki calmly wondered that, several other sounds could be heard coming from the car as it began to breakdown. In order to make some adjustments, the car's lights flickered oddly, so Chisato sat up inside it with her eyebrows slightly raised.
She quickly looked to the left and right before staring at Ikoma who now stood before her.
"Eh? Wait! What was that!?"
White Fox: "Hey, Tatsuhito, try not to say anything too weird."
Iko: "Heh. No worries, Kiyoshi. That's a distraction. I'll ask my real question now."
Ikoma spread his arms wide and spoke to Chisato.
"I'm asking if yer someone's older sister. And if ya like guys who can play guitar and soccer."
"That's the same thing!" shouted Yuki. It was then supplemented with, "You just added some extra stupidity to it!"
"Ha ha ha. How're those the same? They're not at all the same, Kiyoshi!"
"You can't just vehemently deny it..."
"Are ya listening?"
"Unfortunately."
Yuki was glaring at him, but he did not see it since he had his back turned. He gathered strength in his shoulders and took a step toward Chisato.
"Listen. ...Before I asked'er if she had younger sisters who liked guys who played guitar. But...then she could be an older brother. And that'd just be annoyin', wouldn't it? Hm?"
Since Yuki was being forced to listen to this, Murakami gave him a look that was likely of pity.
...Uh, you're being forced to listen to this too, aren't you?
But the B-Rank captain took another step forward as he continued his personal argument.
"Listen," he began again. "It'd have been crappy if I assumed she's an older sister when she's really an older brother. To make sure that doesn't happen, I fixed my question and asked again! Right, Kō?"
"Uh, I was only pitying Yuki, so could you not drag me into this?"
Yuki could not agree more, but Ikoma had not forgotten who he was really speaking to. He once more asked his question to Chisato who had stopped moving.
"Now, answer me. ...Are ya someone's older sister? Ya look old enough to be one."
He received his answer immediately.
"Hm?" she began. "No, I have no younger brothers or sisters."
.
Chisato mentally held her head in her hands.
...Is this what people talk about in business discussions!?
This was not at all what she had imagined. She had assumed it would be a more mature conversation that compared the statuses and positions of their businesses while laying the groundwork for their respective goals.
But she could not leave at the moment because her odd car had to be fixed after that incomprehensible nonsense about being a sister was added into her decision to leave or not.
What am I supposed to do? she wondered.
She did not know what having a younger sibling had to do with business, but she doubted it was anything important. It was also causing trouble for the odd car. So...
"I have no intention of taking part in any nonsensical conversations."
If it was unimportant for business, then that was true. But just in case he did have some purpose behind it, she decided to listen.
"Unfortunately, I am the youngest child. If my age is what determines this answer, then we are done. Another thing… I could care less about men who can play the guitar."
.
"I see. Gotcha."
Yuki saw Ikoma drop his spread arms, lower his shoulders, hang his head, and release sighs that sounded all to familiar with him. He then turned his back on Chisato, faced Yuki, and showed him his deeply shaded lowered head.
"There's no point in comin' here. I was gettin' my hopes up over a borin' person. Of course, that ain't a rare occurrence. I did race over here for nothin' though."
"I'm not entirely sure I know what you're talking about. Or why you are even here..." Kimura spoke to Ikoma while wondering what was going on. She had come over the moment she saw the red and black man. "But since you rushed over here, I guess it really was a 'race' for your heart."
Her joke flopped.
.
Mi-Kon: "Ah, Ikoma-san, are you okay? You took a direct hit from that one, so are you even still alive?"
SenSen: "Yes, he might not have made it even if he managed to shield his vitals."
Manager: "It isn't going to kill him! See, he's alive! Sorry to hear you didn't like it!"
.
As Ikoma stood motionless with his shoulders lowered, Yuki looked to Chisato.
Chisato's shoulders were also a little lowered and her mouth hung partway open as she looked back to Yuki. She seemed utterly confused, but...
"Well, if that's all."
She moved the odd car's fixing process along and prepared to leave.
As the car door began to close, Yuki nearly said "yes".
...Wait, I can't let her leave!
He had to do something, but it was so sudden that he was unsure what to say. Instead, he began typing on his phone's open tab.
White Fox: "Kō! Help!"
Black Wolf: "What! Do! You! Mean! By! That!?"
Life: "Eh!? C'mon, Kō, adlib! You've gotta adlib! Don't worry. Kawa just lowered the bar so far that anything you say'll be fine!"
Black Wolf: "Eh? But I still don't know what to say..."
Haru: "Not to worry, Kō. Now, lower your hips and exert yourself."
Yuki did not want to think about what was beginning over there, but Inukai joining the Border chat conversations was a good thing. Probably. As for Murakami...
"F-fine then. I will handle this."
The gray-brown-haired boy stood up with a dignified movement.
.
Chisato saw Suzunari's ace stand up to face her.
What was he going to do? The odd car could leave at any time, but...
...If I leave now, they could say I ignored his opportunity to speak.
She could no longer continue with her original plan of saying what had to be said and immediately leaving.
Plus, this was the ace of a different branch. Chisato had expected him to act as a bodyguard, not a negotiator. After exchanging words a few times, they must have shifted from the greetings stage to the discussion stage.
How troublesome, she thought as the gray-brown-haired boy patted the #3 captain's shoulder as he continued to hang his head. Then he faced Chisato.
"Are you listening? Look how depressed our #3 B-Rank captain is."
He then pointed at Chisato.
"This is your fault! I won't let you leave without paying for what you've done, so prepare yourself!"
...Ehh!?
For some reason, the terms "new" and "original" came to mind and the odd car nearly sputtered again, but she could not accept what this boy was saying. After all, the #3 B-Rank captain of Border had been the weird one.
...Shifting the blame for his dejection onto me is nonsense.
So she shrugged and spoke with a sigh.
"Um? That couldn't possibly be my fault."
"Oh, but it is! ...Isn't that right, Yuki!? The #3 B-Rank captain's depression is the Shiraishi family's third child's fault, isn't it!?"
.
White Fox: "Why would you hand it back to me?!"
Black Wolf: "An eye for an eye."
When Yuki saw the pleasant smile on Murakami's face, he told himself: Calm down, me. You've been faced with seemingly impossible problems countless times before.
Yes, calm down, Tsukiko Yuki. This situation is truly regrettable, but you're a capable guy. Yes, you're quite capable when it comes to it. The truly important part is making sure it never "comes to it", though.
Kuni: "It's hopeless... Now Shiraishi's going to be our enemy and I won't be able to take part in their new testing..."
Umi: "Wh-why are you being so pessimistic!? There's probably a much worse fate in store for us, so let's try to stay positive while we can!"
Almost Everyone: "I think we found the real pessimist!"
At any rate, Yuki tried to find a proper use for what Ikoma had said.
...How is the Shiraishi family organized?
If Akashi were here, I could check with him, but oh well.
He grasped at the connection that flashed through his mind and he spoke to Chisato who was hesitating between leaving or not.
"Listen, Shiraishi's representative."
"Yes. What is it?"
"Right." Yuki breathed in. "You seem to have misunderstood our #3 B-Rank captain's words."
"Oh, is that so? But in that case, what did he mean?"
"Right," repeated Yuki as he mentally prepared himself. This is the important part, he told himself. "Listen. According to our information, the first and second daughters of the Shiraishi family are in line to inherit your family's company. That does not mean that more child will not be coming in from them, but we can clearly see that that is not the case. So our #3 B-Rank captain was asking if you are in fact an 'older sister' to others in general rather than as an actual family member. Views and values can be seen differently if that is the case."
Damn. I didn't think I would affect myself with that last line.
Yuki patted Ikoma's arm.
"I will admit he intruded on your privacy surrounding your personal life and issues, but that is what he meant and it came from his desire for us to remain on friendly terms. Please do not misinterpret him."
Someone inside the Main Red Lightning nodded at Yuki's words.
It was Kurauchi who had moved to the central table with Ōji after Yuki and Murakami had left. He used his hands to eat some anmitsu in a glass container.
...I see.
He set down the container.
"Yes. That was quite forced, but it is true someone can be an 'elder sibling' to those younger than them. Senzai and Hatohara are perfect examples of that. That interpretation is entirely possible."
...But it would seem Tsukiko is taking a somewhat defensive stance.
In his final line, he had mentioned "his desire to remain on friendly terms" to seal off his opponent's escape, but he had added "do not misinterpret this" to drive the point home.
...Is this some kind of influence?
He was partially just trying to be extra careful, but it could easily be taken as coercive. As a freeloader in the building, Kurauchi was not entirely sure what to do about that, but...
"This is about the Shiraishi family."
Kurauchi opened a phone tab containing the information he had researched on his own.
"The second child leads as both the idea maker and informer, but she is supported in her education on both sides by her younger sister and older sister."
"If she is 'supported' on both sides..."
"Right." Kurauchi nodded at Ōji's prompting and slowly continued. "That second child is a second year."
.
"That's right. She's the same year as me. ...Although I didn't interact with her much even as a fellow student."
Two people stood in front of the Main Red Lighting and the more equipped one spoke.
She was Kumagai Yūko. She was dressed up in Nasu Squad's uniform and she placed her hand on the top of her Kōgetsu.
She gripped the hilt that she was rather familiar with.
"So maybe interacting with her would have been helpful, huh?"
She suddenly raised her eyebrows somewhat and looked to the right. Light spilled out from the Red Lightning's windows and Kageura Squad's Gunmer stood on the opposite side of the door. The Gunner was dealing with one of the stray dogs that would show up from time to time, but Kumagai kept her gaze flat.
"I didn't think something like that would actually come up later on in life. At least not while I was still in school."
"Oh, things can always end up being weird like that, so don't feel too bad about it. The people we sent over will take care of it."
"Shiraishi Yoshie would sometimes come to harass some people in my class, so it would cause trouble. We would even cross paths at times and give some kind of greeting to each other."
Kumagai added a "but".
"We had completely different friend groups, so there was no way we would even have a complete conversation with each other. ...Our friends may have had friends in each other's groups, but that's all there was to it."
Kumagai opened a phone tab for the Gunner to see. It displayed a listing of scores in her school from the highest to the lowest.
"This was our school's listings."
"So she was pretty high up there, even if it was still below the tenth spot. She probably doesn't have much trouble in school then."
"When you think about it, it's surprising that she is even able to go to school when she is known well enough as the second child. It even seems like not that many people really go to her for her family's business but rather just for regular school things. In other words, she is actually living a regular school life while also being completely out there once the school day is over."
"So it isn't like you really needed to try and befriend her when she is already doing well enough as it is. That feels like it would be nice~"
"Right...I mean, yes. That's right. But Kitazoe-senpai, do you know why she is able to live like that?"
The Gunner placed a hand on his lips and looked into the air.
"Umm," he wondered. "Even if her family isn't effecting things too much, I think they would have some part in that. Going off of the people I know."
He's clever, thought Kumagai with a bitter smile.
"Sorry. You're actually the upperclassman here. I messed up by saying that in the first place."
"No, no. Someone like me isn't going to care about something like that."
Kumagai sighed at the honest smile on the boy's face.
Then she looked back to her own phone.
"The older sister is the same. And I feel like this girl is even more capable."
"In other words, Border wishes to keep a friendly relationship with my family during this current time?"
Even as she spoke, Chisato reminded herself that they could not support Border in the current situation.
After all, they could not completely believe in Border when they knew that a crazy woman resided in it and used it as a shield against their business. Also...
...Our own issues come into play.
Rebuilding what they needed and fixing what was damaged due to the latest invasion put them in an odd position with others who had taken less damage.
This was no time to dream of Border's protection and the guaranteed future they would receive from them. They had to think about what they had and what they could do for themselves.
...Then that woman came along and tried her hand at businesses politics while destroying some of the weaker ones.
Taiyōko Kushikage seemed to carry her parents' want to fights, regardless of what kind they were to be.
"We are saying that while we will not be against Border in any way, we do not want our money going to somewhere that cannot protect everything we have built up to this point."
As she spoke, Chisato looked back toward Border's current representative. Excellent posture, she thought when she saw the boy staring straight back at her.
"At the very least, we have no proof that you can maintain the city should another invasion happen. Besides, Border has not unified its own thoughts yet, has it? So how do you hope to negotiate with us and what do you hope to gain?" asked Chisato. "Listen. You are nothing but a disaster to those who you cannot protect and us people who cannot properly defend against Neighbors. You are also a nuisance that uses our money in a way that we cannot fully comprehend to wield your rights and future."
"Is it dangerous simply to speak with us like this?"
"Right. If you were truly meaningless, we could come up with countless excuses, but you do hold certain rights and a certain future. But if the other businesses learn that we spoke with you, rumors will spread that Shiraishi has fallen for Border's sweet words about the future."
Chisato told herself she could not show any hint of friendship here. She needed to make sure Shiraishi's intent to reject anything Border brought to the table would be apparent even if the records were leaked.
...Of course, Mother and Father didn't give me the authority to do anything but that.
"That is my intention here. I came here to provide a warning while you seem to have the chance to speak with us and vice versa."
She pointed the index finger of her right arm toward Border's current representative.
"Please do not involve yourself with our company."
.
When Yuki heard what Chisato said, he sighed in his heart.
...That's an absolute rejection. She's completely unapproachable.
Black Wolf: "What should we do? I can bring her to the negotiating table by force if need be."
White Fox: "No, that won't be necessary. ...There are a few things here that seem odd to me."
Life: "Eh? D-did I mess up bad enough for you to notice what I was doing?"
White Fox: "Calm down, idiot. Calm down and go to the guard station. Calm down and hold your arms out for them."
Mi-Kon: "Oh, Jinsei. On your way to the guard station, please grab a garbage pickup schedule for us. Your mom wanted to know what they will be doing for any upcoming holiday."
When he saw the idiot post "Fine then. I'll be back soon.", Yuki thought to himself.
...A disaster, huh?
Yuki gave a slight nod.
That's true, I suppose. We are nothing but trouble for the people who aren't a part of Border and who can't understand thing that only we would. And we're even more of a disaster with that crossdressing naked apron along for the ride and a part of a good ranking team. We need to do something about that. Oh, but not about the crossdressing naked apron. About the current situation. Actually, we do need to do something about that idiot. So it's both.
Yuki gave a slight nod again.
And I think I'm overthinking this.
So...
"—"
Yuki breathed in the night air which was more cold than cool on the ground. Then he spoke to Chisato.
"I would like to accept Shiraishi's warning, but on one condition."
.
TetsuG: "You're going to agree not to interact with them? That will leave Border with one less sponsor, at the least. And a major one at that!"
White Fox: "Stepping forward now would only strengthen their refusal. They can't trust in the future we bring and are much more focused on the present. As things are, the future we bring is useless. And..."
Yuki mouthed the words and they automatically appeared in the chat.
White Fox: "Shiraishi Chisato will want to avoid having us do anything more. She is an important member of their company, but she is not from the very tops. She is only their last resort."
Kage: "True. You don't usually find people like Suzaku who are technically in charge of these chats and working with the directors but can also act like a crazy Gunner."
Umi: "You have that all wrong. And I'm not a Gunner. A Sniper is suppose to fire multiple shots in the middle of a battle."
A normal person with different standards is no different from an abnormal person, thought Yuki. But...
White Fox: "But something bothers me about this."
He felt something odd in his heart.
To sum it up in one word: why? Something felt off and he could not work out quite what. He felt something in Chisato's attitude that felt like it would lead to a definite question if he pursued it.
...Why?
He continued thinking to clarify the unclear question in his heart.
...Why did Shiraishi come here?
Meetings like these were based on a mutual understanding, so to reject them, they only needed to ignore them. Instead, they had come here, made contact, and exchanged words.
Why had they done that?
He felt like there were several layers to the answer. Several layers of "reasons" were hiding the identity of the "why". It could of course be a trap, but...
White Fox: "I want to hear someone's opinion. Preferably someone smart like Kimura or Kurauchi. Oh. Not to say people like Minoru and Satoshi aren't smart, so no offense."
Deer Prince: "None taken."
Shōgi Boy: "Gotcha."
Almost Everyone: "Screw you too!"
White Fox: "Anyways. Do you think this meeting is a trap?"
Kura-uchi: "Yes. There is a high probability that there is 'something' behind this."
Zoe: "Hm? Is this situation created by stopping Shiraishi's representative from running?"
Kura-uchi: "I say that given the fact that they contacted us at all. This meeting and their intentions have only shown their rejection. That means their intent was simply to contact Yagura, tell us their rejection, and leave. Then why did they contact us at all? We don't know, but is that because this is a trap, because their true intentions lie elsewhere, or because they want us to think either of those?"
Kurauchi paused for a beat before continuing.
Kura-uchi: "To find out, we have said we will accept their warning 'on one condition', but we were only able to do that thanks to what Ikoma-san and Murakami accomplished."
Iko: "Kurauchi... Don't think that'll make up for being a traitor and getting Kanzaki to like ya for a bit."
Black Wolf: "Um, personally, I would prefer if that adlib was stricken from the records..."
TetsuG: "None of you want to make it sound like we knew what we were doing, do you!?"
As the others started complaining, Yuki looked to Chisato.
"We appreciate your warning."
"Those pleasantries aren't necessary. ...But what is this 'condition'?"
"Right. That is simple. In this age, it is something done to ensure a want for peace."
Yuki corrected his gaze to push back against Chisato's.
"Border will be giving you information. Rather, the Yagura Branch will be giving information on everything concerning the Taiyōko name and any other need-to-know issues."
"...!? You mean...?"
"Make no mistake. We aren't trying to do anything to your company."
And...
"This isn't limited to Shiraishi either. The Yagura Branch will send information to Shiraishi, Kurosaki, and Kobayashi. The latter via a member of Border who is a part of that family."
This is a bit of a gamble, he thought while completing his announcement.
"That is our condition for agreeing to stay out of company affairs. What's more is that we would like for you to continue sponsoring Border until a final decision has been made."
"Oh, Netsuki-san, Taiyōko just said something interesting in his negotiation."
When the people in the room heard Director Karasawa's comment, they all corrected their posture and looked at the screen. Some leaned against a wall, some sat in seats, some remained standing, and Jin Yūichi stood at the very center.
"I thought we would spend the night tracking down that strange group, but the representative sent by Shiraishi as a negotiator has made an interesting proposal. ...Severing off all ties, hm? An interesting reaction."
"Then what about Taiyōko's return proposal?"
"Right." Director Netsuki nodded. "Giving out that information to those three companies is not a bad idea. Those companies are currently filled with suspicion, and any information given could be 'used against us' when the time comes. That becomes a great weapon for them the less amount of people who know of it. The greater their suspicions, the more they will jump at the chance so that the other two companies do not get the upper hand."
He chuckled.
"I was extremely worried about sending Tsukiko for this. But he is taking to it really well. Even with some mess ups being obvious here."
After all...
"He is taking full responsibility by saying that the information given will be that of his own family and the branch he has become a part of. He knows that he will be blamed for anything concerning those two things."
Now this is a troublesome attack, thought Chisato.
According to the other companies, information on that family was vital in any possible way. So refusing to take it could be like saying they would give up something important for nothing.
"I am not too sure if you are aware of this, but I myself use to be a part of that family. As much as I hate to say that... My inherited name had been 'Taiyōko Kiyoshi', but my current name is 'Tsukiko Yuki'. 'Tsukiko' using the characters for 'moon' and 'child'. 'Yuki' using the characters for 'reason' and 'valuable'."
Everyone: "You damn liar!"
"What I am getting at is that I have no more connections with that family. If you were to worry about the information being false, there is no need for that. I am completely fine with giving away information about my former family."
Chisato chose to remain silent. She knew about that inherited name and the fact he had been disowned, but she had no intention of bringing it up here. She had no reason to do Border that kind of favor.
But she did have one thing to say.
"I do not have the authority to accept or reject this offer. As a person sending the information, you would be given full authority, wouldn't you? Our boss would need to make that decision.
"Simply bringing it up for consideration would be enough. You have my thanks."
"Your thanks is a frightening thing."
The Border representative's expression did not change. He simply looked straight at Chisato. Chisato was not an expert in negotiations, so she could not tell if the boy was desperate or simply keeping his expression unreadable.
...This is an odd thing to feel so unaccustomed to.
She saw her limits as a representative there, but that brought something other than self-deprecation. She found it amusing that her lack of experience here was the very reason they were so cautious of her.
"—"
A quiet laugh escaped her lips.
Of the three in front of her, the #3 B-Rank spoke with his back turned. His odd depression may have given him a chance to hear her laugh.
"What was that?"
...Oh.
Whoops, she thought. That laugh was careless.
She expected him to ask why she would laugh now, but...
"That sounded like it's been a while since ya last laughed. ...Has somethin' with yer company been keepin' ya from laughin'?"
Perhaps due to her inexperience, her prediction had been wrong.
"Yer probably carryin' a lot on yer shoulders."
.
Chisato could only choose to remain silent.
"Well then," said a voice in the Main Red Lightning.
It had come from Inukai who sat across from Arafune at a window-side table. He set his wooden spoon in his container of anmitsu, looked to the negotiation playing out for them in text form, and smiled.
"It sounds like Iko-san found something out about this girl."
"...Inukai? What do you mean he has found something out?
"Right."
Inukai shrugged toward him, bent his eyes, and stuck out his tongue. A cherry stem was tied in a knot on his tongue, so he grabbed it with a handkerchief and wiped off the inside of the container.
"It's the same thing I took back with Shiro-chan when we first met."
His smile seemed to increase a bit.
"It's something you lose sight of when you become too focused on things other than yourself."
Murakami felt confused as Shiraishi's representative remained silent.
...Eh?
The timing felt wrong for the situation, but then the #3 B-Rank captain sighed next to him.
"Then I'm leaving. I don't see any point in stayin' any longer. ...Kiyoshi, Kō, I'll be waitin' in the car over there, so call if somethin' happens."
Ehh? thought Murakami again.
He was not used to this atmosphere and Yuki was also frowning in confusion, but he was pretty sure he knew what this was. In English, it was called "love". In Spanish, it was called "amor". And in French it was too embarrassing to say. But he had briefly felt that was what was beginning here.
"A-are you sure?"
"Why'd I want to stay here?"
"Well, um..."
Murakami continued his confusion only in his heart. After all, Shiraishi's representative was standing in silence right in front of them, and...
…I-it's awkward!
Part of him wanted the B-Rank captain to turn around, but it was possible the situation in his mind was entirely a misunderstanding on his part. That was when Yuki finally spoke.
"What has you so worked up, Kō?"
...Of course you would ask that when you didn't even notice how Senpai usually is with you!
Haru: "Worked up? We can't have that, Kō. You must be low on rice. ...Now, spread your legs and exert yourself."
Something was probably being mimed over there. It bothered him, but getting caught in the middle of it would be far too dangerous. Instead, he forced a smile and spoke to Yuki.
"Th-then we will be leaving it up to those three companies whether they will accept our information, correct?"
"Eh? Oh, yes. That is our condition for promising not to interfere with the businesses around Mikado City and maintaining the sponsorships."
That seems a little contradictory, but it was a good decision, thought Murakami.
...Since this is allowed in the first place, and is usual for companies, no one can complain if Border does so.
They did not have a good read on the situations in those companies, but he could guess that they had no other option but to reject Border and Yagura at the moment.
...That might be too naïve, though.
However, there would be no point in doubting that.
But the real decision would come from Yuki who worked well with words.
White Fox: "If we send the information to all three companies at once, they won't be able to reject the offer so easily when the other companies might accept. That is part of why I want to hold some relations with all three companies at once."
In that case, thought Murakami as he faced Shiraishi's representative who was still silent and apparently on guard.
"How about we send our #3 B-Rank captain to personally deliver the information?"
.
"Wait, Kō!"
Yuki saw Ikoma turn quickly around and point at Murakami.
"You're tryin' to send me to a place where I can't even show off too well!? I'd rather not!"
"That kind of place has some pretty strict conditions."
True, thought Yuki, but...
...Looking at a number of conditions, Tatsuhito might actually be a good candidate.
At the same time, Chisato sighed and leaned back inside the odd car.
She was leaving. Now that they had suggested the information idea, there was no point in continuing the discussion. They could only watch as she left.
Chisato gave Yuki a single nod and spoke.
"For any more specifics, I will need to contact our boss. ...I stayed longer than expected, but I think it was worthwhile."
"I am very glad to hear it. Now, about the future."
"Right. Once I get back, I will make a report and get back to you with the results."
"Will you be asking your mother and father to make the decision?"
Chisato did not answer. Instead...
"I will be leaving now."