The Main Red Lightning was completely full.
Kimura had been there before most of the others and she watched everyone finishing up their meals.
"Kanzaki-san and the dual-Kōgetsu duo had other business to attend to, didn't they? ...Well, they weren't even under consideration for this, so that's fine."
"Heh heh heh. Sleepover Operator, quit putting on airs and tell us what you want. Why did you gather us all here? Don't tell me you want to have a group marriage interview over breakfast! You even brought us non-eighteen-year-old people! We honestly have our stuff to do as well!"
The café door opened and Fuyushima stepped inside, but he immediately ran back out.
"Ah, Fuyushima-san! This isn't a group marriage interview! Where are you going!?"
"Come to think of it, we can't have other people coming in here. Okay, I'll go out and put up a 'Closed' sign."
"Wait! Don't go outside naked! And don't try to complain that apron you're wearing changes anything!"
Ninomiya raised his hand and stood up.
"I'll keep watch outside. ...Oh, and the food was good. Western food is nice every so often."
"What's this, Nino-san!? Do you want to make Kirikari-senpai your bride instead of Mino-kun!?"
Kon spat out the tea she was still drinking because she had gotten a late start to breakfast due to her bath.
"Wh-what are you talking about, Misaki!? It may be true Jinsei can be a bit of a heroine since he has a slender waist and skinny neck, is an excellent cook, can walk on his toes, gets captured at times, and is a great listener, but...!"
"Kon, um, I sometimes think that too," said Murakami. "But you don't have to be that blunt."
"Yeah," added Senzai. "I too had somewhat determined the same thing."
"Yes," agreed Nasu. "I see Kirikari like that a little too..."
As everyone else sank down in their seats to agree, Ninomiya sighed.
"You're choosing the ambassadors, right? That has nothing to do with me, so I'll wait outside."
"Understood," said Kimura while raising a hand toward the man. "We'll make sure you can hear the conversation. Just watch on with your phone or something. Oh, you too, Nasu-san."
"Oh, yeah. I have guard duty too? I think I'll call some others to look after the back entrance."
"Please do," said Kimura before turning toward Suzaku.
Kimura took a breath when she saw Suzaku nod with something appearing on his screen.
"Then let us begin. As the Ninomiya Squad captain said, we will be beginning a new strategy concerning the three local sponsors. And to start with..."
She raised three fingers on her right hand.
"We will be sending a few of us to Kurosaki, Kobayashi, and Shiraishi."
.
Kimura glanced over at one corner of the café.
"O-oh, no! If I'm sent to Kurosaki, I may begin worshipping wholeheartedly worldly things there and never return! If that happened, the poor books around Mikado City would feel so lonely! Technology would ruin me!"
"Fried rice made with Kurosaki's supplies would be Kuro-amazingly good. Hm. Guess I need to work on that one."
"Hmm. I might freeze if I went somewhere too cold because of the AC..."
"Ha ha ha. Stay in the car with me and there's nothing to worry about!"
"Ah! Ku-yan! Are you already searching for walkthroughs on beating the foreign characters in Savage Historical Reign: Super Nininbaori!? Oh, but the most recent location test revealed that Xavier's Kappahame can be downgraded to Two-Level Homosexuality with a Mid-Level Tea Utensil, so now isn't DLC Kanou Eitoku considered the best with his Sabi Gauge?"
You people are jumping the gun here. And I have no idea what that last one was all about. Anyway, stay positive, Kimura Kawaguchi. Keep your thoughts positive when unpleasant things happen. But I do feel like I've had to keep my thoughts positive an awful lot lately... Well, I just have to think of that in a positive light too…
"K-Kimura! Why do you look so depressed?"
"Oh, just thinking about some things. But..."
...But it's good that all of them are so motivated.
The idiot seemed to be thinking about some things recently and he would likely find some kind of answer eventually.
"Okay." Kimura raised her hand. "Listen, everyone. This isn't just about the ambassadors being sent out. I have something to tell all of you concerning how Border as a whole will face these three sponsors. ...In other words, we need to be prepared to take action."
They all faced her. Silence fell and she felt her mood lifting a little.
This small expectation pleased her, but did that mean she really had been feeling worried lately? Or...
...Oh, I get it.
She realized that it had simply been a while since they had taken action on their own.
But we're not there yet, she thought. We're still in the post-invasion phase. We need to set a new starting point somewhere.
So with that in mind...
"Border's basic policy is to not allow anything to be lost. With that as our basis, we will be taking the following policy toward the three sponsors."
She nodded at the center of the silent group.
"First, our official priorities will be the peace and stability of the sponsors."
.
Ninomiya watched the phone while sitting in the chair prepared at the Red Lightning's entrance.
Manager: "I want the ambassadors to seek the peace and stability of the sponsors. Use the information 'Yuki' said would be given for that."
That's pretty standard, thought Ninomiya from the point of a view of a Border squad captain.
So if Border was going to protect Mikado City in the future, they needed to announce they would bring "peace and stability" to bring back a previous lifestyle.
...Of course, that means they need to know what it is the sponsors want.
Ninomiya was unsure if he should give a warning there, but then the next words arrived.
Manager: "Do you understand what I mean by seeking peace and stability?"
Ninomiya frowned and tilted his head.
...What you mean by seeking peace and stability? Don't you just mean as a policy?
If conflict erupted between the other sponsors, the ambassadors would protest by saying they "sought peace and stability" and would suggest that Border might interfere in their conflict. That would allow them to act as an intermediary between two sponsors or to promise support in their recovery. That could bring a hastened end to the conflict, and it could also allow them to focus on the conflict while Border handled everything else.
It was a common method during conflicts and others had often played the role of the intermediary.
But Hogo Squad's Operator spoke.
Manager: "As the other one in charge of this, I command all of you here to seek the peace and stability of the sponsors."
However...
Manager: "If it has to do with the history of them, then you can generally ignore it. And don't stop any attacks against Border. We'll defend against those here. But make sure you stop any other conflicts or any losses that would be brought by other businesses."
"Also," she continued.
Manager: "Do not threaten anyone. You can resolve things with a conversation of values, such as how both sides can benefit, but threatening them will only cause more problems for everyone. The sponsors cannot act at the moment because they had their sense of values changed. You need to return those values to normal. That will return everything to the way it was."
.
Kimura stood up and looked across the others.
"Listen. There are quite a few people who worked at those businesses that are saying they preferred how things used to be. The best way to move those people to action is actually to suggest the future peace and stability of Border when it comes to Neighbors. As long as the method does not bring loss, use what you can to get the sponsors back on our side for a proper future."
She said "listen" once more.
"Work with Shiraishi, Kobayashi, and Kurosaki and suggest the peace and stability that Border can build. That means we will deal with the Neighbor conflicts that can lead to another invasion. They won't end, but we will be more prepared. What's more is that we will deal with Taiyōko and anyone else going against them."
What exactly did that mean?
"In other words, we will get to a point where we can be considered a power instead of a world that Neighbors think can just be attacked and who the sponsors can believe in. ...We will hold the future in our hands."
.
Ninomiya was left speechless by the Hogo Squad Operator's announcement.
"..."
He frowned and sighed, but then found himself glancing over at the Shooter next to him.
However, the sick girl in a trion body was looking at her phone, doing something with it, and getting checked on by the people that showed up.
"Thank you for your concern. Please take care of things over there. If anyone weird shows up, let us know."
The female Shooter watched the three-person unit run off.
"—"
Then she suddenly turned toward Ninomiya and tilted her head with a hint of a smile.
"Is something the matter, Ninomiya-san?"
"Well... About Kimura's announcement just now..."
"Yes. I think that's a common way of looking at things for them. We have the personnel needed for it too. Although those personnel are all such awful people. Still..." Her smile grew a little. "I feel like we're finally making it official after waiting for a good opportunity."
"But...that's crazy. Last time, that...deviant told Shiraishi Chisato we would be sending people over with information about his family on the assumption that we would not interfere. And now we are telling an ambassador to stop any conflicts?"
"Yes. Don't worry. I hear that age group is scarily good at making excuses for things."
At least try to deny it, thought Ninomiya, but he also had a feeling this was how things had been since he had arrived.
...Are they really doing this? Actually, they've probably already made up their minds. I should be asking how this is going to turn out.
He started thinking about what was to come, but...
"Ah."
"Is something the matter, Ninomiya-san?"
The female Shooter asked the same question but with a definite smile this time, so Ninomiya nodded first.
"Well," he began. "I thought I wouldn't be involved with anything to do with the faker, but I have kind of unfairly decided I would observe how they handle things as the ones left in charge."
"Yes. That's right. This complicated stuff doesn't have anything to do with you or me. Normally, anyways. ...Then again, not all of Border is exactly normal."
Manager: "Okay, I'll start with who's going to Kobayashi. That'll be Minoru and Hiura. Good luck."
"Waiiiiiit!"
Ninomiya started running at full speed from the very first step.
.
Everyone saw Ninomiya throw open the Main Red Lightning's door.
"What are you thinking!?"
The nudist was striking a pose in front of the door, so he was sandwiched between it and the wall, but Ninomiya did not even notice.
"Why him!?"
.
Kimura and the others exchanged a glance.
After a while, Senzai raised his right hand and spoke after the others gave him a nod of understanding.
"That is a refreshingly new reaction."
Kimura nodded in agreement and then realized something.
...Huh? Does this mean I'm being corrupted by the rest of them?
"Um, Suzaku-san? If possible could you use a 'bullying meter' or something to check on me?"
She turned around to see Suzaku with his back turned. The captain Sniper was whispering to Mizukami about a screen displaying some kind of meter. But when the Shooter noticed her, he frantically karate chopped the phone to the ground.
"I-it's nothing."
"Y-yes. It's nothing, Kimura! It's relatively fine!"
What is and relative to what? she wondered, but she decided to trust the expert's opinion. It did worry her that the expert was also a carrier of the infection, though.
"What's wrong, Ninomiya Captain? Is something the matter?"
Ninomiya Squad's Shooter Leader raised his voice and eyebrows.
"Why is Minoru being sent over to Kobayashi with the information!? He's not the one from that family!"
"That is one of the reasons why. The fact he is not a part of that family means we are showing true strength."
Ninomiya Squad's captain's mouth hung open at the immediate answer, so Kimura decided to casually continue as if throwing it out there.
"Another reason is that Kobayashi-san herself doesn't have much influence concerning the matter. At least from what my own captain has told me. I have no reason to believe he would lie when they are great friends."
"W-wait. ...Are you deciding that on your own?"
"Eh? ...Is Minoru not suppose to be involved with this?"
Ninomiya Squad's captain groaned and wrinkled his brow.
"Well, I didn't say that... But he is kind of-..."
Someone interrupted. It was Arafune who stood by the wall. He spoke after nodding toward the man.
"It's not that we want to put more work on him. ...Kimura, you don't actually need Minoru to do this, right?"
"Yeah. If he can't do it, then he can't do it. Some things just can't be helped."
"That's for sure..."
"Yes," agreed Kon who sat at an added table with Kunichika. She was pouring cream into her coffee cup to draw a picture. "After learning that he is helping Awdry-kun, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he just collapsed from exhaustion. He does a lot of work dealing with others. ...He is a special case, so he can just watch. He honestly helps out a lot and will be paid back for that, so you can head back and tell him with what you've learned once this is all over."
After hearing all that, Ninomiya Squad's captain raised his eyebrows, breathed in, and stared at Kimura.
"Are you making fun of him!?"
.
He bought it, Kimura told the others with some secret eye contact.
The next to speak was the Kotowari Sniper.
In the seat next to Suzaku, she pinched at the tart from the night before and looked to Ninomiya Squad's captain.
"But Nino-san, weren't you saying Minoru-kun wouldn't do anything? No, can't do anything? After all, he lacks so very much: the need, want, passion, and apparently support from his lover."
But...
"But listen, Nino-san. None of that matters when the choice is up to him. Honestly not you."
"—"
Ninomiya Squad's captain was left speechless, but then he gasped.
"No, wait! What do you mean when you say 'support'!? I can never trust what your team says!"
"You silly man." The Kotowari Sniper pointed down towards Suzaku's crotch. "Based on my personal investigation, people with great support honestly have larger and calmer hearts! See? You can pokety, poke, poke towards Suzaku's crotch and he won't get mad at you!"
"Kh...! Misaki? I'm going to give you a calm and big-hearted scolding later. I'm going to scold you like crazy."
"You don't have to go along with that," muttered the others, but Kimura ignored them and faced Ninomiya Squad's captain.
"So do you understand now?"
"How the hell could I!?"
...Eh? But I sort of understood that. Does that mean there's something wrong with me?
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mizukami hurriedly hiding a screen, but she decided not to worry about it. Instead, she sighed, let her shoulders droop, and spoke to the other Border member.
"Ninomiya Captain, are you listening?"
"...I understand."
...Eh? Does he understand or not?
Mi-Kon: "The concentrated insanity in this room must have gotten to him."
Kuni: "Wow, Kon, you're really good at drawing faces with milk."
Kuru-ma: "The buffer between his thoughts as a leader and his thoughts as an individual is preventing him from being honest, isn't it?"
That was more or less it, so...
"Do you understand?'
"Yes. No, I guess I should be saying 'yeah' for now."
Ninomiya Squad's looked down at her with his shoulders lowered.
"I need to be properly supporting Minoru. ...I can't be thinking poorly of him. And as Misaki said... It isn't my choice to decline for him or not."
In other words...
"There is one thing I can do despite not being involved here. ...I can back him up as his partner and an adult. Isn't that right, Hogo Squad Operator?"
"Yes. With no relevance for yourself, Minoru will be the foundation for the negotiations since one of his team members is from that family. ...But there is a way to make up for the little of what time you will lose."
"By letting him act as a representative of Border, right?" He sighed. "By leaving him in your care. ...That may be what he needs if he is going to accept this. Which he most likely will."
He relaxed his shoulders again, looked to Kimura, and then bowed.
"Very well. ...If he agrees, he will go. Please make the necessary arrangements."
.
Good, thought Kimura now that she had a decision from Ninomiya.
She then looked toward the entranceway.
"Hiura will go with Minoru to Kobayashi, but Minoru will be the main player."
Nasu titled her head while peeking in from outside.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Hikigane-san is the one you need to be wary of concerning the matter."
"I was planning on having Hikigane-san himself go since he and Minoru would be able to get things done easily. When I tried to contact him about this meeting he had said that he was very busy and could not even be considered for the issue. Since that was the case, I decided on Hiura since she might enjoy the trip before her longer trip. Also... She actually holds some power because of Hikigane-san. Or so I've heard."
"I see." Murakami nodded. "We're using Minoru as the main point because he knows more about Kobayashi, and then we're giving him the authority he needs to say whatever needs to be said for Border."
"That's right. And just for now, I am making Hiura an aide to the Suzunari Branch's ace. Murakami-kun will not be going to Kobayashi, but she will be acting as a branch member's aide and as one of Border representatives' aide."
"I'll make sure she knows."
Nasu nodded and looked to Ninomiya Squad's captain. The male Shooter's brow was still a little wrinkled, so the female Shooter smiled at him.
"Well, they have a strategy laid out for them, so they will manage."
"I hope so..."
"Don't worry. We'll do whatever it takes to make sure of it," said Kimura while raising a hand toward Suzaku.
Suzaku smiled and nodded, and a new window appeared on everyone's phones. A picture of a dog danced inside it, but...
"I sent a program to all of your phones. Oh, and it's a special one that connects to your trion body. Only for certain purposes though."
"Umi? What is this?"
"It sends our messages primarily through a special pathway instead of just the Border ones. They'll be sent through TSUBAKI and TSUBAKI HQ for transmission over the network set up between us. It makes using the chat while in a trion body easier, so don't worry. Unless you're being blocked by some high quality tech, you can send your messages from any one of those buildings with great service!"
Everyone sounded impressed, but Nakagami asked a question with a smile frozen on her face.
"Suzaku? Don't tell me..."
Something appeared next to Nakagami's face, displaying a smiling woman and man, both waving happily. Nakagami quickly stabbed his hand through the something to break it and she forced a smile with raised eyebrows.
"Suzaku... This was set up with a certain companies backing, wasn't it?"
"Yes. TSUBAKI is neutral, but it's still best to have that kind of sponsor for this sort of thing. There are issues occurring between business right now. And in addition to that 'certain company' you mentioned, this also uses some allotment of the networks from different areas," explained Suzaku. "But, well, your parents immediately signed the contract once I said I would periodically send them pictures of you. ...Cooperative friends really are indispensable."
Maime 2.7: "That's for sure."
"Cooperative!? I think they're using us! You asked me to come here with Boss' nephew under the pretense that you needed help because of where my parents work! You just needed to get those pictures!"
"Calm down, Nakagami-kun." Arashiyama placed a hand on Nakagami's shoulder. "Listen, Nakagami-kun. If you think of it as your embarrassing pictures saving Border a bit, then wouldn't it be a very-..."
Arashiyama placed a hand on his forehead and thought for a moment.
"...Let's change the subject. A cheerful topic would be best."
"A very!? A very what!?"
"Wait a moment," said Kimura, but Nakagami only tilted his head.
"Anyway, are you sure you want to only send that Minoru guy and that Hiura girl? I don't know much about them, so it really is up to you guys to figure that out."
"Minoru will be fine. If Hiura is just going to be his aide, then I have nothing more to say on the matter."
After seeing Hogo Squad's Operator nod, Ninomiya placed a hand on the door.
"I'll listen to the rest outside. ...I'm eager to find out who will be sent to Shiraishi and Kurosaki."
.
Kimura watched the door slowly close after the Ninomiya Squad Captain and Nasu left. She then made sure the chat transmission line with those outside was in place.
"Next up are the personnel going to Kurosaki, but this one honestly carries a somewhat difficult problem. After all, they're currently in conflict with others. Namely Taiyōko."
She touched the screen map to slide it over to the northern part of Mikado City.
"Also, Kurosaki might become a pro-anti-Border force if things aren't handled very carefully and might even go with Taiyōko to bring down others. They might remain our enemy for a very long time."
"In that case," said Arashiyama with a sigh. "We cannot send anyone important there."
"Don't be so quick to decide that." Kimura stood up, took a few steps, and stopped in front of someone. "Kuruma-san. 'Yuki' isn't here now, but I want you and him to go to Kurosaki."
"That's fine. I will be fine as long as someone capable like that is there."
Kimura was relieved by his immediate response and smile, so she turned around.
"Also...Kon-san and Kirikari."
.
Suzaku looked up.
...Eh?
He spoke a reflexive question to Kimura as the girl looked their way.
"U-um, didn't you just say we wouldn't gain much from negotiating with Kurosaki? And it's a warzone now on that front, so why would you send Jinsei-kun, Yuka, and even Kuruma there?"
"I do know why you would think that," said Kimura.
Suzume nodded from the next seat over and placed her hand on Suzaku's shoulder.
"Aren't you forgetting someone?"
"No. I just feel like Yucchi would be back in three days no matter where we sent him."
"True." Suzume nodded again, rested her head on her hand, and looked in the same direction as Suzaku was. "Why do you want to send my foolish former captain to Kurosaki? The only souvenirs he could bring back are steak and sake, and that would only make Suzaku happy. Besides, in case you honestly forgot, my foolish former captain's original name contained the name 'Taiyōko' in it."
"It would not make me happy. ...Ah! What are those looks for, everyone!? Jinsei-kun, you say something too!"
He turned toward the door he had been pinned behind before.
...Huh?
"No one's there?"
The area was abandoned.
...Yes.
He decided to assume his absence was intentional.
...Yes. Everything's fine.
He could relax when he remembered that he had to be somewhere and that this was most likely the setup for some kind of joke.
Then someone moved in front of him: Kon. The Operator grabbed a spare chair from by the wall, placed it near the center of the floor, and beckoned Kitazoe over.
...This is going to be something weird again, isn't it?
Kitazoe nodded silently and sat in the chair.
"—"
Soon, a forceful blow struck the bottom of the floor panel below Kitazoe's chair. The idiot's voice followed.
"Huh? It won't open! That's odd. Huh? Ahhhn? Ahiiin?"
"Yes. Please be quiet. I will nail it shut."
"Don't renovate my house! And aren't you going to praise me for my setup?"
Kon casually began hammering in some nails.
"Ah, dammit! She's hammering them in as accurately as an expert carpenter! C-curse you! I'll do it right next time! I swear it! I swear it!"
Kimura glared toward the idiot's voice as he seemed to run away somewhere underground.
"Anyway, we know he's here, so I guess I'll explain why we need to focus on Kurosaki."
She took a breath and looked to someone by the wall.
"Kurauchi, take it away."
.
"Right, right," said Kurauchi as he opened a window on Kimura's instructions.
Unsurprisingly, it displayed a map of Mikado City. It was zoomed in on the area from Kurosaki to its surroundings.
"Alright, just need to show it up above."
Holding his device up, Kurauchi pressed a button and displayed the map on the ceiling.
"Now, then." He put his hands on his hips and took a breath. "It's really simple when you get down to it. Even without advancing near us, Taiyōko currently shut down the center of the area, right? Before, their makeshift border was shared with a large group, but a part of that ground has been destroyed through difficult means."
The red representing Taiyōko moved in from one side to the western side of the area, but some there was there to resist any more damage.
"Kurosaki is to the northeast, one of their partners is to the southeast, and both of their extended buildings and Border's branches are to the east. ...Now, do you know what's going to happen with this kind of future?"
"Yeah," said Murakami. He looked up to the ceiling and placed a hand in his bare throat. "Border's branches may be relatively safe and the partner business will be destroyed by Taiyōko."
"That's right."
Kurauchi lightly tapped the screen and the red advanced from the western area to the southern region of Mikado City.
"Do you understand?" asked Kurauchi. "Eventually, they will end up with a large sum of money due to continued success. They will also eventually join sides with Taiyōko at the rate she is going, but since they might refuse being destroyed, they won't fully be taken by her. And this is when they see that family as enemies."
"That isn't all," said Ōji as he crossed his arms next to him. "Ever since the latest invasion, we have been taking large sums of money ourselves to make up for that one Neighbor making it into the base. In other words, Border still has security in assets. But..."
As soon as he said that, Kurauchi displayed another map of Mikado City. The western end had a few red circles added.
"But ever since the recent invasion, some of the sponsors have instructed us to freeze the money that gave us as sponsors."
"...Freeze...the money...?" asked Shokubutsu.
Ōji nodded.
"It means they will not be taking it back, but Border is not to use it in any way."
Immediately, someone else asked a question: Kon. She tilted her head.
"What are those sponsors trying to do? Why would they not take their money but not let us use it?"
"It comes down to the threat of Taiyōko and another invasion, Kon-san," said Kimura. "Even if they wanted to take and use their money, they've just seen money used up by destroyed buildings. Moving money could make them the next target for Taiyōko. And even if they were to be taken, they can recover if they still have money waiting for them. So now that Border barely managed to push back the Neighbors, they want to leave that money with us, but they don't want us using it. And since they think the odds are good Border will only barely manage, they can't have us using the money they've left with us. Plus, freezing Border's money will benefit Taiyōko, if she really does become a complete enemy. This is a decent performance to remain on her good side. But..."
But...
"A large organization like Border would be useful against, and the only way to deal with, any Neighbors that come through Gates. However, we're currently in an odd position due to our B-Rank Wars going on. Since we barely managed the last invasion, the sponsors have to act on the assumption that we will be barely pushing back any invasions in the future."
"I see. So if we were to start getting along with Kurosaki..."
Still standing, Kon placed a hand on her chin and suddenly raised her right foot to knee height.
"...the sponsors will unfreeze their money with us and we will have proven we can overcome most of our financial troubles. That is why you want to send people as important as Kuruma-san and Yuki-kun. But what about the rest of us?"
"You are very level-headed, Kon-san. Kirikari is an idiot, but that idiocy has actually gotten him to some nice places."
"I see. That is a nice call."
She stomped her right foot, sending a light tremor through the floor.
Immediately, the image by the ceiling broke and the nudist fell and crashed into the table with his limbs sprawled out.
.
Voices of surprise filled the café, but they quickly quieted down.
Ninomiya heard them from outside.
"..."
He looked to the female Shooter next to him, but the girl only gave the café a quick glance before turning back to the other people.
"Okay, go patrol the area."
She was unfazed.
...Is that how things work here?
When in Rome do as the Romans do, so I guess I should go along with this. But this is still odd.
While he wondered what was going on, Ninomiya checked his phone.
Manager: "On the economic front and to have a good future, I do not want a hostile relationship with Kurosaki. After all, they possess a lot of power as a business. They also supply a good amount of our regular technology."
Black Wolf: "If this goes nicely, we will have more backing for our research."
Suzunari-1's ace's words gave Ninomiya a thought.
...Just how much of our technology comes from them exactly?
It was a difficult question to answer given the amount of time he has been around.
Manager: "Well, I guess it will mean that. But if possible, I want to secure more regular technology since they are needed for life on Earth without thinking about Neighbors. Without regular technology around we may end up in a reliant relationship with all forms of trion. So Murakami-kun, you go to Kurosaki too."
Black Wolf: "What!? ...But Kuruma-san's family is the one who sponsors the Suzunari Branch."
Manager: "You'll be their bodyguard. Not only do you have the actual strength, but you and Kuruma-san will 'guard' the others with your official positions. I'm sorry, but please try to look at it like that."
"What does that mean?" asked the female Shooter.
It took Ninomiya a moment to realize the question was directed at him.
"O-oh... Murakami is not originally from Mikado City and is our fourth ranked Attacker and Kuruma's family, as just stated, sponsors the Suzunari Branch. Kuruma's family isn't in conflict with Kurosaki and Murakami's 'outside view' as our fourth ranked Attacker can be seen as beneficial, along with the fact that he is Akasora-san's student, but if something were to happen to those two, it could make an enemy of Kuruma's family and Akasora-san - someone who is actually well known. And in reverse, leaving a favorable impression those two could improve those two powerful forces' impression of you. Their positions make them the best bodyguards available."
They were using all available personnel in every way possible. They must have really wanted to obtain stability with Kurosaki.
Black Wolf: "Th-then I have no choice. I will join the others as my friend's(?) bodyguard."
Kuru-ma: "I'll also join in, secure in the knowledge that I have a role here."
White Fox: "Hey Kō... We need to have a chat about that '(?)' you just put."
Those branch members had decided to act for the sake of Border's future. So...
"I need to rethink some things too."
Ninomiya was nervous, but he had a role to play and he had little else to do. If he also had no complaints with that role...
...I just have to let him go.
As soon as she thought that, some text scrolled along the screen next to his face.
Life: "Fine then. It's early in the rank wars, but I'll prepare some extra clothes. But..hey, where'd Yuki go? Doesn't he have to hear all this?"
.
Oshiro was unsure what to do when everyone started focusing on him.
The focus made him a little nervous, but not enough to grow flustered. It was something else that moved his heart.
...Onii-san.
He brought a hand to his mouth and thought for a moment, but then Kagami asked a question with a tilt of the head.
"Tsukiko-kun went to that scene of that offense last night, right? Is he doing his own investigation?"
"Eh? Yes, yes. That's what he said."
"Really?"
Kagami tilted her head further and exchanged a look with Kunichika.
"Most of the investigation was completed last night, so I don't see much point in him going there," said Kunichika.
"Well..."
When he trailed off, Murakami opened his mouth to help.
"I don't blame him. He works for the directors at those times, but he was late to obtain that information last night. ...He probably has some thoughts about that."
And...
"Are you worried about that, Hogo?"
There seemed to be some expectation in his voice, but he was exactly right. Yuki had been silent that morning, except when he suddenly seemed to notice he was being so quiet. Then he had said: "O-oh. I was just thinking is all."
Overall, he had seemed different from usual.
He had acted normal after that, but...
...I wish he would confide in me more. Especially since he became my surrogate brother.
He sighed, but for some reason, those around him began fanning each other.
"Suzume! Suzume! Yuki-kun has finally started to enter the zone!"
"Heh heh heh. That's right, Kunichika! It's rather warm outside, but the temperature is rising even further! There's going to honestly be lots of stripping!"
Oshiro had no idea what they meant, but he thought they shared in his worries. Since Yuki was not here, he decided to ask for some advice concerning him. He wanted to know what to do during times like this morning.
"Um, can I ask something about Onii-san? It's about this morning."
"Please do! Please do!"
Oshiro was surprised when a group of mostly girls leaned forward.
...They're all worried about Onii-san, aren't they!?
He could not help but feel happy about that. Yuki was thinking about a lot and worrying, so he was relieved to have the help of these veterans who had known him for a lot longer than him.
"Um, when I woke up this morning, Onii-san..."
He was not used to the Japanese language after having studied different languages recently.
...Wasn't like his normal self.
He did not think that would get across what he wanted to say. No one else was around to see his "normal self" in the mornings, so he decided to search for simple way to explain the problem.
He thought about what to say.
Yuki had been sitting on his bed hanging his head.
He had crossed his arms to signify he was thinking, but he had been groaning so much that Oshiro thought he might be sick. When he had called out to him, he had jumped in surprise and immediately turned toward him. That much was normal, but today...
...Would you describe him as disappointed?
He had a feeling that was not quite right.
Disappointment was generally in response to something other than oneself. When it was towards oneself...
...Regretful isn't quite right and self-loathing is too strong.
"Oh."
Oshiro found just the right nuance. It referred to the heavy downwards direction of his mood. Was it "feeling down"? No, he had a feeling he needed more words for emphasis.
"Yes. Ever since he woke up this morning, um..."
He placed a hand on his cheek. He had sudden trouble with the language after having learned a few more, but using his native language would help them understand each other.
"Onii-san has been feeling himself down below."
"He went there!?"
.
Kuni: "What should we do?"
Honest Sister: "Heh heh heh. Don't you mean what do we honestly want to do? But your team's Shooter would probably be overkill here. Doesn't Border have a way of torturing him?"
Manager: "W-wait! There's clearly something wrong here! I say we double check on this!"
Mi-Kon: "Then good luck. Go ask Hogo-kun just what Yuki-kun was 'feeling'."
.
Kimura took a step forward from the silent group and spoke to Oshiro.
"U-u-um, Captain? U-uh, about 'Yuki'..."
"Y-yes. What is it?"
"Um, w-was he really 'feeling' his p-pe…pe…no, I mean…" Kimura blushed. "Down below!?"
Everyone sighed, so she turned toward them with a flourish.
"Y-you got a problem with that!? All that matters is that he understands what I mean!"
"You're no fun, Kimura-kun."
"Now, now," said Oshiro as he nodded toward Kimura. "That's right. Thank you for worrying, but it's true."
Yes.
"Since early this morning, Onii-san was feeling himself down below."
.
Isa: "He's quite the pervert."
Iko: "When did Kiyoshi grow so distant from us?"
Viper: "I have an honest question. What do guys normally do in the morning?"
Boys: "Um..."
.
Murakami saw Kimura's shoulders droop as the girl stepped back.
She looked exhausted and Murakami considered giving her a word of support, but...
"You handle this."
Kimura tapped his shoulder.
"Eh? ...Wh-why me!?"
He protested, but Kimura averted her gaze and ignored him.
If it was his turn to add to the joke, there was nothing else he could do. He finally worked up his nerve, stood up, and stepped forward. He stood in front of Oshiro and forced a smile.
"Um...uh..."
He thought about what to ask. He of course had no intention of asking how healthy or hard his best friend was in the mornings. If he was going to ask about this, he had to do so more objectively.
"Shiro, when you woke up, what was Yuki doing?"
"Of course. Onii-san was sitting cross-legged like this, facing the wall, hanging his head, and...quietly feeling himself down below. Yes."
Black Wolf: "What was that guy doing with the wall this morning?"
Haru: "Kō! Kō! You mustn't get emotional! Calm down!"
Murakami took a deep breath and swore to himself he would not forget to smile.
"Did you...see anything else strange?"
"Yes. I'm not sure I would call it strange...but if you ask me, he was feeling himself down below extremely hard."
"Eh? ...Extremely hard? Down below?"
"Yes. He has felt himself down below on occasion before, you see."
"B-before? Um, since when?"
"W-well..."
Oshiro seemed a little concerned by how Murakami latched onto that comment. Oh, no, he thought, but then he saw Oshiro sighing.
"Sometimes when he's busy at work, he doesn't arrive in time to pick up groceries or he misses a chance to go on a walk with Krümel-kun. He tends to somewhat feel himself down below when that happens."
Shōgi Boy: "What's that guy been doin' while takin' out Neighbors?"
Honest Sister: "Heh heh heh. Somewhat feeling himself? ...That fake ninja tries to be a sneaky ninja even then, doesn't he?"
Life: "Y'know, this is pretty bad. Yuki's entering brand new territory here."
Murakami did not want to agree, but he had to. Hoping this ordeal would end soon, he asked another question.
"And what did you do, Shiro?"
"Well, I called out to him and he jumped in surprise."
Life: "Yeah, that'll happen if you're caught off guard. I'm used to it, though."
Kuni: "That's something we're really not too familiar with..."
I suppose not, thought Murakami as new text arrived on his screen.
Oshiro then continued.
"Onii-san was the same during breakfast, so it was hard to bear."
"Hogo-kun, I believe that is the normal reaction," said Kon. "It would be difficult to enjoy your food like that."
"Yes. That's right. When someone important to you is feeling himself down below, it's normal to be worried."
"Yes, yes! Very normal!"
Oshiro seemed relieved that everyone agreed.
Don't worry, Shiro. We have someone who can be a nudist, crossdress, and cook dumplings all at once, so we can give a proper retort...I mean, reaction to more normal strangeness.
But then Oshiro's shoulders stiffened.
"But he won't tell me why he's feeling himself down below."
"Well, explaining it can really ruin the mood," said the idiot. "Hey, don't look at me like there's something wrong with me! Besides, Shiro-chan here is like Yuki's little bro, yeah?"
"Um..." Murakami chose his words carefully to best describe what to do in that situation. "At times like that, I think it's best to just be by his side. It can double as keeping an eye on his behavior. Anyway, um, what did he do then?"
"Right. He went to inspect the site of last night's offense while still feeling himself down below."
Artist: "Is he an exhibitionist!? And what's he planning to do there?
Kuni: "I kind of think it would be best not to think about it too much."
That was when the café door opened.
"Sorry I'm late. Yagura Branch's rep, reporting for duty!"
.
Yuki was a little disturbed when everyone gave him a look he had never seen before.
...Eh!? What brought this on!? Is that a mix of contempt and anticipation? Damn. And just when I got passed that airhead without fighting.
"You're honestly the worst," said Suzume. "But I'll still put you in my doujinshi."
"Wh-what is this about!?"
"'Yuki'."
For some reason, Kimura was blushing as she held her right hand out toward him. Behind her, the idiot raised his right forearm a little and shook it up and down, but he ignored it.
"What is it, Kimura?"
"W-well, it can get in the way of your duties and there are a number of public morals issues, so try to stick to the more standard methods when controlling yourself. Also...don't do it in public."
Is she talking about stress? Well, dealing with these awful people on a daily basis is exhausting.
Suzaku raised his hand.
"Kimura, as a Public Morals Committee Member, I say you should rethink sending Yucchi to Kurosaki. ...It would be a lot of trouble if he started doing it during a negotiation."
"Personally, I think he'd lose it to frostbite in no time if he tried that in AC," said Kunichika. "With his illness. ...Both of them apparently."
What are they talking about? he wondered and looked over to see Oshiro smiling at him with the ends of his eyebrows lowered.
Oh, he realized. This morning.
So he faced Kimura.
"Not to worry. I had a lot on my mind, but after looking around the scene of the offense and thinking about some things, I'm feeling really refreshed."
"...Refreshed?"
"Huh? Why do you look so disturbed? I'm just saying inspecting the scene and moving my body around left me feeling refreshed."
"We understand, so you don't have to say it again."
He had Senzai's assurance, so Yuki looked straight at Oshiro.
"Sorry for worrying you. ...From now on, I will try to confide in you and...well, sometimes I might not say anything, but..."
He was afraid of how the others would react, but he said what he thought he needed to say.
"Can I rely on you at times like this, Shiro? As a brother?"
.
Oshiro was briefly confused.
...Um...
The others were saying something with their phones and Suzume was starting to draw something with unbelievable excitement, but...
"Um, you mean..."
His request to rely on him had confused him...or rather, he did not know how to react. After all...
...This is the first time he has asked something like that of me.
No, it was possible he had when he had took him in, but that had been more about a powerful desire for him.
...But this morning was about himself.
He had a feeling Yuki would try to put on a brave face, but he would let him accept him.
"—"
He would be able to support him, the boy who had accepted him as a brother. Yuki would let him. And he had called that "relying" on him.
...Yes.
Oshiro obeyed the feeling inside him. He had decided to live his life the way he wanted and he was allowed to be with one of the people who let him do that, so...
"Okay." Oshiro smiled. "When you're feeling like that, feel free to rely on me as much as you want. It would make me just as happy."
"G-good."
He nodded with his hair pulled deep over his eyes, so Oshiro gestured to the seat opposite his, next to Inukai.
He heard his partner whisper, "We need to talk after this, Yuki. Shiro-chan is taken." Yuki seemed confused about what that meant, along with Oshiro himself.
He was not sure he should already be thinking about what to do from now on. And he was worried it was conceited of him to think relying on him would allow Yuki to continue saying he was "fine".
But one thing did bother him.
"Um, Kawa-chan? Onii-san will be fine, so can we get back to talking about Kurosaki?"
"Right." Kimura nodded. "I'll send the details with the log, but the people going to Kurosaki will be 'Yuki', Kuruma-san, Kon-san, Kirikari, and Murakami-kun. ...We're counting on all of you."
.
Yuki answered after a moment.
"Got it."
Kimura heard him agree without hesitation and heard Oshiro breathe a sigh of relief.
...I guess the two of them will have to come up with a fundamental solution about him "feeling himself down below". Especially with Inukai-san being in the picture.
With that settled, she moved on.
"Next is who we'll be sending to the Shiraishi family."
She looked to both of the people she was about to name.
"Tenryū, Ikoma-san. That will be you two."
.
Shokubutsu tensed up.
...Eh?
He was surprised and caught off guard. He wondered why he would be chosen, but he also felt like this was the right decision. There was one main reason for that.
"...Because of...my past...?"
"That's right. You already have experience as someone who deals with business. You're also the Yagura Branch's director's nephew, so you're more than qualified to be an ambassador."
"Heh heh. Wait right there, plum-chested Operator. Don't you honestly have something to tell him? You can draw people in by leaving things unsaid, but you mustn't do that to those close to you or people who know people honestly close to you."
"Yes, I know. That's why I said 'more than'. Are you listening?"
Shokubutsu nodded, so Kimura continued.
"We're giving them the nephew of Yagura's director, so from Shiraishi's perspective...you'll mostly be a sort of hostage."
"...Really...?"
He often heard the word "hostage" in a suspenseful drama on the radio or television. Robbers would hole up in the bank, point their matchlock guns at the workers, and demand a means of escape. That was generally when the magistrate would show up for the following scene:
"Ha ha ha. Silly robbers, you should learn how to use those matchlocks before trying something like this. The safety's still on."
"Eh!? ...Ah, you tricked us, you son of a bitch! Get him!"
His uncle and his uncle's friends would always seem satisfied and say things like "That magistrate tricks someone every time" or "That's a pretty personal interpretation". But in that case...
"...Will you...s-save...the hostage...?"
"Eh? Oh, well, you aren't guaranteed to be a hostage. But it could happen. Basically, we're leaving an important person with Shiraishi as a safety to ensure we don't become enemies. We're saying we won't attack them because we won't want to lose you, Tenryū."
...Eh?
"...B-but...I'm not...th-that important..."
.
Shinoda: "Allow me to interrupt. In reference to our duties in Border, I would make the following ranking: Tenryū-kun = Suzaku Yuki, Sekai, Denji Everyone Else Akashi Kirikari."
Life: "Are those '' things arrows!? So the further you go, the better you are!?"
Shinoda: "It is the exact opposite."
Life: "Did you have to answer that quickly!?"
JK: "Nice job, Boss' nephew!"
Mi-Kon: "Those at the bottom should take a lesson from Suzaku-kun and rethink their life."
Umi: "But why me? I've barely ever ranked that high."
Shinoda: "You are always a huge help with the transmissions. Without you, we would lose a good amount of Border's transmission support, which would place a larger burden on us. When Tenryū-kun is out and about, we can fulfill our director roles since he is actually really a refreshing sight for us. Yuki, Sekai and Denji do a good amount of work for us. As for the others..."
"●Akashi: His pessimistic assumptions and forceful course instructions are quite dangerous. Especially since he seems to forget he is speaking with the directors.
"●Kirikari: In the way (when not fighting Neighbors), lifts up skirts, nudist, sleeps, plays porn games on the monitors, etc."
Umi: "Maybe that last person really should rethink his life. At least Jin is useful to Border, so the skirt flipping thing is hard, isn't it?"
.
I see, thought Suzaku as he realized how important everyone was. So...
"Um, Tenryū-san? If you think going to the Shiraishi family would be too difficult, I can go in your place."
"...Eh...?"
Shokubutsu looked his way and began clasping his hands in front of his stomach. He may have been hesitating because the speed and complexity of his finger movements grew.
But...
"...N-no... ...I-I'll go... ...Because..."
He continued moving his hands as he turned toward Kimura.
"...Are the Shiraishi...people...bad people...?"
It was Ikoma, not Kimura, that answered. He stood with his goggles up and seemed to be fixing them.
"If ya define 'bad' as a lack of cute girls, then they're really bad people."
"Ikoma-san, just so you know, the Shiraishi sisters have been top ranked in multiple magazines because of their looks."
"Then they're good people, Ambassador Tenryū."
...It looks like he's willing to go now, but is that a good thing?
Suzaku was mentally sweating, but Shokubutsu had stopped moving his hands and he faced Kimura once more.
"...Then...nothing will happen...if I go...right?"
"Nothing should. After all, the Shiraishi family is actually taking care of their kids so they can inherit what they want. Causing trouble between the two of us now would be the same as throwing away their future."
"...Are the...Shirashi people...good people...?"
"Yes. If you remain true to yourself, I think they will all be good people."
Suzaku said that with a smile and Shokubutsu smiled back while squeezing his clasped hands.
"...Okay... ...Then I'll try my best...to do that..."
...Oh?
.
Everyone sensed something in Shokubutsu's words there.
Shokubutsu was speaking in the active voice.
It was possible he intended to continue like that as long as this continued. He was so intent on remaining true to himself, that he was straying from his usual self.
...Not good, not good.
Kunichika then tapped on Kon'a shoulder and Kon knew what that meant.
"Um, Tenryū-kun?"
Shokubutsu looked up at her as if asking what she wanted, so Kon and Kunichika replied in unison while giving the boy a thumbs up.
"Yay! Let's do our best."
Shokubutsu unclasped his hands and raised his own right thumb.
"...Yay..."
He blushed and his voice faded away, but Kimura spoke up to help.
"Um," she began. "I will handle the negotiations over transmission. I will have Suzaku prepare a direct connection with Shirashi, so I'll make sure Tenryū and Ikoma-san can converse with everyone else in both audio and video. It will be through the chat, but your situation will be little different from sitting with us in a classroom."
"I'll do my best," said Suzaku with his job in mind.
Kon smiled at his words.
She then turned toward Kunichika who was tapping her shoulder again. The girl held her hand to the side of her mouth and spoke quietly.
"Hey, Kon."
"What?"
"Aren't you glad you have something to do? You don't like being neglected, do you?"
"Um...do you have a point?"
She tried to speak forcefully to act as a warning, but Kunichika narrowed her eyes and whispered from behind her raised hand.
"Crybaby."
"Y-you're calling me that again!?"
When had she seen? When had she noticed? Kon did not know, but of the others around her, only Jinsei gave him a thumbs up.
She hummed and opened a window with a displeased look.
Suzaku finished off by saying, "Okay, I'll be sending out the necessary settings, so everyone bring out your devices!"