Minoru listened to Yoshiko's words and watched her face.
"Kurosaki might accept this. They can avoid losing their influence, after all. And Shin is still young for a business. But...Kobayashi is different."
All emotion had vanished from Yoshiko's face, but a tremor filled her voice.
"Shuryō and Sōichi are already gone. Bringing them back is not an option. Kobayashi's own money and material, continued contruction, and presence as a business that originated outside of Mikado City are all meaningless. After all, everything can be destroyed again. Border, you wish to create a new value and manage where Kobayashi can work? Isn't that just a nice way of describing restrictions?"
No, it isn't, thought Minoru.
Yoshiaki was trying to say Border was controlling Kobayashi by constructing the information network.
But Minoru felt that was inaccurate. He did not think it; he felt it.
Yoshiko was not talking about the Kobayashi family being beholden to someone else.
...You are just mad that you lost those two, aren't you?
Sōichi had used himself for the sake of Border and Shuryō left a message behind to them. In their desire for what they cared about to be safe, they had gone to every length as an example and they had both met the same fate of giving their lives.
They had eventually disappeared. And they knew they had done so before Yoshiko. It was their understanding of that which led Yoshiko to say this. She understood it all too well, but that pain was driving her to this.
"—"
Yes, thought Minoru.
I know some people who would probably think something similar.
They had used their fleeting lives. Sōichi and Shuryō had seen meaning in that and saved what they could, but things were different for those who were left behind. That was why they had been told to smile.
Yoshiko remained expressionless. She was always smiling, but she was hiding her expression now.
...That's the same as crying.
She only had tears of regret for the people who had found meaning in moving out ahead and being lost.
What about me? If I'm the same as Mogami-san when it comes to those people...
"...Mogami-san."
Minoru spoke without thinking.
The vixen turned to face him, but he felt no fear in his heart.
He was the same. He and this vixen held something similar inside. And...
...So that's it.
Minoru finally realized why he had been placed in charge of the Kobayashi negotiations.
No, he had already understood most of it. It had not been because a teammate was a part of that family. Kimura would have already seen through what they had planned. So...
"Mogami-san, as the captain of Hatohara Squad, I would like to make a proposal to both you and Border."
"...What might that be?"
Manager: "To us too?"
A separate chat opened up on the tablet Minoru held. Three names appeared at the same time.
2.7 Maime: "Sorry to put this kind of thing on you, Minoru."
?: "Futoyuki here. I apologize on behalf of the Wanderers as well for not being able to protect our own leader."
Shinoda: "I will leave this to you. Anything you do here, I will do the paperwork for later."
You guys were able to see things ahead of us, weren't you?
Minoru made no action to express how he felt. Instead, he continued to look at Yoshiko.
"Yes, that's right. I am making this proposal as a squad captain and A-Rank agent of the Shinoda Faction, not as a representative for Border."
The Sniper next to him and the gambler seemed to feel out of place and looked back and forth between Minoru and Yoshiko, but Minoru ignored them.
"Could we establish a joint relationship between Hatohara Squad and Kobayashi?"
"Hisoka-san..."
"..."
"O-oh, no, that's not what I meant at all. Um, I was just..."
"He just wants to know if you are fine with this conversation."
Inukai smiled at the interaction happening a bit away from him.
He currently sat in Hatohara Squad's operating room with some others. Besides his whole team, the rest of Hatohara Squad as well as Hogo Squad was there.
The entire time the meeting had been going on he could see Ninomiya tense up before being forced to relax by someone else. Teikō and Svantje had seemed to take up the position of forcing the older Shooter to relax in Minoru's stead.
Lukas, Hiyami and Maki had taken to quietly sitting there during the meeting. They were not holding back at all and showed their reactions to anything particular that came up.
But the last group had been what continued to gather everyone's attention.
"Minoru-senpai sure is giving this a lot of thought. ...To suggest that Hatohara Squad have a closer relationship with Kobayashi does take courage and trust, doesn't it?"
Inukai looked over to see Oshiro with worry coming off of him like sweat. His two friends nearby did not seem as distraught, but it was clear that they were also feeling anxious about this entire situation.
He wanted to go over and grab the boy before he started freaking out, but knew it was far better to leave him in the hands of Tsuji and Hisoka for the time being. This was not a time for him.
It was for someone else.
"...I don't really get it, but this seems to be more important than what he is saying."
"Hisoka-san, it has more to do with the fact he is speaking as a member of the Shinoda Faction and Hatohara Squad. Since he is using that to state his standing for the moment, he is giving a direct proposition from someone who holds a level of authority in Border."
Inukai raised an eyebrow and grinned at the comment.
It sounds like Tsuji gets it. But there is more to it than just that. Think about it some more and you will see it. Although... He looked over to see Ninomiya tensing up again and Lukas furrowing his brows. I guess some of the others understand it too.
The ones who understood what was really going on did not like it.
Inukai felt a knot start to form in his stomach when he thought about the meaning of Minoru's words here. The same knot most likely formed in the others as well.
After all...
Minoru is taking on the responsibility of people who can't speak for themselves now.
He let out a bitter laugh that quickly drew the attention of Oshiro.
Feeling bad for making the younger boy worry, Inukai waved with a smile. That did not seem to quell the boy's thoughts though as he stood up from the floor to walk over to him.
Oh no, I made Shiro-chan worry! I'm terrible!
As much as he worried about the boy, Inukai was more than well aware that he was quick to catch on to things and understood people rather well.
It had been due to this understanding that he managed to befriend both Tsuji and Hisoka as well as he did. It could also have been that same understanding that he had been hurt by others before.
But if not for those incidents happening he would have likely not gotten to know him at all.
That kind of thought made Inukai feel even worse than he already did.
So once the boy was standing in front of him, Inukai increased the power of his smile while speaking up.
"Sorry about that, Shiro-chan. I was just thinking of something unpleasant."
"Haru-san..."
He shook his head and lowered his eyebrows.
"Sumiharu."
A pulse ran through Inukai's entire body at hearing his name being said by the boy.
From the floor up ahead he could hear comments from the other two who were sitting there while the eyes of others moved to them.
"Oh? He must be mad."
"The opposite. He is showing that he cares for Inukai-senpai by not letting him escape this. If anything, he is showing that he cares for both Inukai-senpai and Minoru-senpai."
If you know that, please stop talking, Tsuji-chan! Shiro-chan is showing his sexy side to me right now!
He wanted nothing more than to grab the boy in front of him and squeeze him with all his might.
He instead held back to smile up at Oshiro.
"Yes, Oshiro?"
The boy tensed up for a moment.
Oh? I can use that later.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
"Sumiharu-"
Another pulse.
"You are thinking too hard. That also goes for Ninomiya-san and Wagner-san. ...At least that's what I see."
"Hogo, you understand our standings with Minoru, so be careful about what you say. Even if you are with Inukai, we will not be taking your words lightly."
"I am aware of that, Ninomiya-san. And I realize that I should not be speaking up about Minoru-senpai when you all surely know him far better than I do."
Shiro...
"But..."
But.
"It may be because I know less about him that I can tell you are thinking too much about the meaning of his words. I... I am not experienced like Kawa-chan at these kind of things. I also don't know Minoru-senpai as well as you do. But I do know what his kindness looks like. Right, Svantje-san?"
The girl trying to get Ninomiya to relax a bit smiled in their direction after having her name being called out.
Inukai was well aware of how great of a detective the girl was from seeing it firsthand as well as hearing about it on multiple occasions. For Oshiro to call out to her means that there was someone else who knew what his standpoint was.
That seemed to be just it from her smile.
Discussions and meeting like these could also be a form of mystery that needed to be solved. Picking apart the meanings and interpretation of people's words and actions was no different from finding clues or gather information.
This is something she has probably been focused on from the start.
"I can vouch for Shishi. You guys are viewing this as people who know so much instead of people who know enough."
The sunshine girl let out a small laugh that was shared with Oshiro's smile.
If not for the current thought if what she meant going through his head, Inukai would have savored the scene by taking multiple pictures.
For the moment he had to think about what he was being told.
The look he was getting from the floor showed that his previous thought had also been wrong.
So Tsuji also saw it the same way they did instead of how we see it. That's why he chose to say it that way. In that case...
They would need to be the ones to continue focusing on the meeting and think about it less than the others.
At first, Yoshiko did not understand what she had been told.
Her thoughts were currently on Sōichi, Shuryō, and Kobayashi's future. And the discussion should have led to what would happen if Kobayashi joined their proposed information network.
And yet...
"A joint relationship...between Hatohara Squad and Kobayashi...?"
"I will say 'correct' for the moment. I am not talking about anything official; this would be purely functional in nature. And beyond just Kobayashi, I would also like for you - Mogami Yoshiko - to take a look Border... At Hatohara Squad as a fighting force. And I would like to learn from Mogami Yoshiko's actions."
Meaning...
"Hatohara Squad would take responsibility for any Kobayashi loss of life."
Ridiculous, thought Yoshiko. Because...
...I don't understand.
"Aren't you just trying to make it up to us now that we have lost people?"
She knew Minoru was not that shrewd, but someone could have put him up to it. So Yoshiko made sure to be as suspicious as possible.
"Mogami Yoshiko has already lose so much. What could you learn from my actions?"
"Border has dealt with similar situations. And just like Mogami-san, we have lost important people." Minoru spoke quietly. "I have lost parts of my family, gone through human hardships, and continue to struggle. ...But that is fine."
"Then do you regret that?"
Yoshiko moved on reflex and Denji drew Kōgetsu.
...You say that is fine, do you!?
If that was true, Kōgetsu would cut nothing. But if that was a lie or simple sweet words meant to earn sympathy...
"You will lose it all, Minoru!"
In the very instant he drew the sword, Denji cut Minoru in Yoshiko's stead.
The blade cut what it attacked. It cut anything using trion or inanimate objects, but could not cut a flesh and blood body.
Border had stated that their weaponry would not destroy a human.
.
Hiura opened her eyes after squeezing them shut.
When Denji had sent out his slash for Yoshiko, Hiura had been unable to even protect her face. That was half due to her proximity and half due to the speed of the strike.
But there was not even a scratch on her hat.
"Um..."
Hiura touched her own body while looking at Denji who had swung Kōgetsu in a horizontal line.
...Head: check. Stomach: check. Hips: check. Chest: ...Oh, wait. I never compared to Kumagai-senpai, did I?
She groaned as she checked over her body, but she found not even a hair on her head had been harmed. And...
"Minoru-senpai..."
Minoru simply stood there. The distant festival music washed over his back as he stared at Denji who had swung Kōgetsu at him, then Yoshiko who had reflexively order the swing.
"Mogami-san, you are mistaken about something."
"And what is that?"
"Border and I will not back down when faced with danger when we know there are people to protect. Even as inexperienced as I am, they allow me to continue fighting for them even as I struggle. ...They are the ones who set a standard to how we would fight against Neighbors and protect people. They know what hard they can do with these kinds of weapons. They are more than just a group of people who face a single directions and - even if they face some setbacks - fight the unease while never giving up on looking out for others."
And...
"That in and of itself is important to me because I feel the need to stand alongside them as one of their agents."
.
Demon Child: "Sounds like a group of foolhardy people who are one wrong step away from wondering why they want anything to do with each other!"
TetsuG: "What are you talking about? I know exactly what I gain from these relationships. We can't forget about that."
Kuni: "Gain!? I'm pretty sure I lose a lot more than I gain!"
.
Those people, sighed Minoru when he saw the ruckus on his tablet screen, but he was somehow relieved to see that lively activity.
It had indeed been nice to have that noise drawing his focus after he had lost something.
Then he saw Denji returning Kōgetsu to its scabbard after Yoshiko glanced his way. The woman smiled bitterly.
"So rather than true protectors, you see them as people you hope will someday hold that position. ...That is why you remained unguarded and do not even come here in a trion body."
"Yes," replied Minoru. "Please think of what I said as a suggestion. After all, I intended to volunteer for that away trip to the Neighbor world as well to find what others have lost."
He indicated the Trigger in his pocket and Yoshiko's bitter smile grew. She then looked at Minoru.
"In that case, we might indeed need a joint relationship." She relaxed her shoulders. "But... Denji, bring the sniper some sweet juice."
"Right away."
The gambler moved through the air while expressing his joy over receiving instructions from his employer. And Yoshiko asked a question as she watched him leave.
"Why did you choose me?"
"I would like to borrow the ability that brought Mogami Yoshiko this far. And j would like to learn from it."
"Why? Once you take back what was lost, Mikado City will be more at peace with Border's protection. ...It would be best to find a teacher within Border. Why aren't you doing that?"
"Right." Minoru nodded. "To be blunt, I can hardly tell what they're going to do."
.
Demon Child: "Wow, who here would stoop to plotting behind people's backs?"
Zoe: "Evil must not go unpunished! Especially in the city, land of the tangerines!"
Mad Hatter: "Um, sorry, but could you not say things that make me want to comment out loud..."
.
He had given them material to work with. I need to be more careful, thought Minoru.
"I would like to have Border make a quick recovery if something happens again. As I said before, Border members have also lose people important to them."
He knew that perfectly well. In the time he had been a part of Border, he had spoken to multiple people who expressed their sorrow at loss and their anger at Neighbors.
"Before that happens again, I would like to help people recover to ensure the happiness of the people gathered there and to benefit the future. So I abandoned the pretense that everything will be resolved quickly. I want to make sure Border can recover quickly to show everyone that we can make a comeback at any time."
"Then let me ask you this, Hatohara Captain. What do you intend to do after that?"
"Well," said Minoru. "Even after Border brings back the lost ones, we will remain in Mikado City. For example, many of our members only know lifestyles her on Earth. Yes, on a world where we get attacked by Neighbors. Do you understand what that means?" he asked. "Border is no longer a small organization. It will not disappear so quickly. So we have long discussed at our base how to keep going as long as possible. And I make my suggestion as a modification of that plan. I will establish a join relationship with Kobayashi - with Mogami Yoshiko - and you teach us your way of moving far beyond the loss that cannot be taken back. I will watch you as you help Border and I will learn from it, but you can also watch me and..."
He hesitated, but he said it.
"If I become a suitable person in your eyes, then please continue your support of Border based on my actions."
"—"
"You understand, don't you?"
Mogami Yoshiko's actions would lead to a certain thing...
"That would lead to a creation of a different type of family, wouldn't it? ...That would be the perfect solution for people who have lost others."
So that is what Hogo was talking about.
Ninomiya relaxed his tense shoulders as he watched the meeting continue on.
He had done as he was told by thinking less about what he personally knew about Minoru and instead what everyone generally knew about him. From there he connected his personal knowledge with that and came to the same conclusion that Minoru had just stated.
A different type of family.
In this case the term "family" was used to refer to a gathering of people who had something in common and could stick together due to that.
This is not a way for him to say that he is giving up on his foolish sister but is instead building up something she can come back to when she is found.
"That really is like him."
He looked over to see Inukai smiling down at his screen with Oshiro looking up at him. Their eyes connected and Ninomiya felt like he should apologize to the boy, but that seemed like it would hurt the boy's ego.
Oshiro had smiled in his direction. It was not an arrogant smile that showed he was right, rather it was a smile that showed he was glad that he was not wrong.
"Inukai, you chose a good partner."
"I did, didn't I? Heh heh heh. Oh, but your partner is also something else, Ninomiya-san." Inukai also looked to him now. "But I wonder if I can be a part of that too? I really haven't lost too much, so they have me best there."
"Haru-san-"
"Aw~ C'mon, Shiro-chan! Call me by my name again! That made me feel so good!"
Ninomiya felt the need to throw something at the boy for his choice of words, but he held back due to how it would seem to the others.
Instead, Oshiro filled the space with a rare sigh and a common smile as he sat next to Inukai.
"Right. Sumiharu."
He gave in, huh.
"I think Minoru-senpai would find no reason to leave you out. Besides, even if you have not lost too much, you helped me gain something back. That kind of thing is exactly what he is talking about. If you are not there, I am sure he would feel more lonely, even with others around."
"Is that how you feel, Oshiro?"
Ninomiya felt the edge of his lips quirk up when the color of Oshiro's face went from its usual pale to a burning red. The words and sounds that came from him after that were all incoherent, but they all seemed to understand it well enough.
Allowing the two to get back to their lovey-dovey routine, Ninomiya turned his attention back to the meeting.
With a better understanding of what was going on, he felt like Kimura had made a good choice in having Minoru go for Border.
Even so, the image of a grinning fox came to mind.
That faker had nothing to do with this. He was busy dealing with his name issues. Yeah, it was Kimura. Kimura and Minoru made this happen. That fox had nothing to do with this at all, whatsoever.
Letting out his own sigh, he realized that he was starting to miss Minoru.
Even though the meetings would conclude by the end of the night, he still wanted to go to the younger boy and tell him that he had done a good job. The meeting was not over, yet he felt like do such things as soon as possible.
"Oshiro! Oshiro! Oshiro! My great, strong castle! Please correct and scold me whenever I mess up!"
"S-S-Sumi-... Haru-san! Please l-let go, Haru-san!"
"Eeeeeehhhhh!? Don't go back to that! You'll make me cry, Oshiro!"
"Heh heh heh. Hey, hey, anyone else want to be like that? Oh, but I guess Shinno wouldn't have anyone here to go to since Soka and Aki are the only girls he can be around! Don't worry! I'm sure you can find someone, someday!"
Was he starting to act like that with Minoru?
The thought made him shudder violently.
He quickly reminded himself that anyone in the "eighteen years old" category was prone to have some issues or start scratching at someone else. Even the more sane looking ones like Kimura, Suzaku and Arafune held nothing back when it came to fighting each other.
I should really make sure that Minoru is okay after dealing with them...
You fool, thought Yoshiko.
She had never expected the word of that kind of relationship to come up here.
...He really is a fool.
Yoshiko knew that Kobayashi's daughter, Kobayashi Hisoka, had been out in Hatohara Squad.
And due to the lifestyle and possibilities of business, Hisoka did not want to be involved and take over for her parents as heir and so continued to be a part of Border.
The things she had said showed they had gotten along well after she had joined. And after the Kobayashi parents had learned that their daughter was doing well, they gladly welcomed the members of that Border squad.
That series of events was why Yoshiko had held off speaking up until now. She had felt like she should not betray the kind people who hired her or their children, but she did not realize just how close that true family was to these Border people.
"Do you know who the kind people were who brought some happiness back between Bakuto Denji and me?"
"Denji...? You mean Kobayashi did that, don't you?"
When the boy answered with a bitter smile, Yoshiko could only say, "Correct."
Minoru now knew a bit more about her and Denji yet he still wished for this. If he did get this, he intended to handle it with everyone else.
...Yes...
Yoshiko had considered it before. What would she have done if she built up another family and it had been taken away again?
There was only one answer: she would have done whatever it took to protect them. So...
"If I do consider you worthy, I could indeed view things in that kind of relationship."
"Then..."
Yoshiko continued with a bitter smile.
"No. ...That's right, Minoru. And Border HQ Representative. I will not go along with your proposal. After all, that trail to the other world is still in view. There are still too many uncertainties about the future of the world. So Kobayashi will..."
This was her answer.
"Kobayashi will...put off this decision and do as we wish until you return safely."
Kimura breathed in and then out.
"You have my thanks...Mogami Yoshiko."
Kobayashi's decision was essentially the same as accepting their proposal. She was holding off on answering because nothing would be clear until after their next away mission. So Kobayashi would...
Still Young Girl: "We will do as we wish. Yes, we will aim for expanding our influence just like Kurosaki. And...Hatohara Captain, you do as you wish as well. If you wish to take me as your teacher and model yourself after me, then aim for a resolute relationship if you like. That future is also a possibility."
But...
Still Young Girl: "Not today."
However...
Still Young Girl: "When I wish to look even further into the future, I will remember this information network and Hatohara Captain's request. And that may be the kind of future they wanted..."
Those words reminded Kimura of her mother.
She recalled her past before Mikado City.
...That's right.
Her mother had always cooked for her, did the laundry, and did other housework without saying anything about it. She had stayed by Kimura's side when she had a cold, she had worried about Kimura's father, and she had stayed by his side as well.
How much time had she spent with her mother? And how much of her mother's time had been spent on her?
Whether that was good or bad was not a question she could answer, but...
"Mogami-san."
She had something to say.
"Border can promise you one thing about the coming mission through the Gate. ...If we are within reach of someone, we will take them back. We will not allow anyone to be lost. That is Border's policy and what we swore at that conference. So..."
So...
Shinoda: "Kimura-kun, you are fine. Your words are telling them what we could not say at the time."
That made her feel better, but she pushed that down to remain professional.
"I don't know what will happen, but you can wait and see how well we do before making your decision."
Still Young Girl: "You're raising my expectations too high. But..."
Yoshiko paused for about three breaths.
Still Young Girl: "I will at least remember your consideration."
They had their answer from Kobayashi.
In the meeting hall, Yuki saw Kimura's "right" on the tablet he shared with Kuruma.
As the HQ Representative and leader of the discussion, Kimura's acknowledgement indicated the end of that topic. Which meant...
...Kurosaki and Mogami have both decided to expand their influence. In Mogami's case it is to leave something with Kobayashi for when she leave with all those grudges.
Their actions were correct in terms of the general thought process. But there was a difference from before.
"They intend to do so without worrying what others think..."
Kurosaki and Mogami would both "expand their influence" in accordance with how business worked. But they would not worry about his older sister or warning even though she was making her way around Mikado City."
Both companies would set their sights on Border establishing their own great influence after their away mission and on the future information network.
They were not cooperating in any obvious way in the present, but Border knew that the two companies would not fear Kushikage and would ultimately fall in line with Border.
It was a pseudo-cooperation that looked to the future.
There were of course plenty of problems and one of those was especially large.
"The fight against future invasions."
Kurosaki was in the process of discussing that.
The Border group had been given chairs and waiters had lined up tea and snacks on a side table. When they looked around, they saw the Committee Heads, Saitou, Sekai, and even Shin standing in a circle and holding a quick meeting.
Yuki could read their lips to grasp some of what they were saying.
...Invasions.
Kurosaki would no longer focus on Kushikage and would continue on to the away mission while expanding their influence and settling things through discussions as they had before. But that implied continued backing of Border even when another invasion was always possible from Neighbors.
Neighbors were a powerful force. They had technology that Earth did not, they had large armies of trion soldiers, they had Black Triggers, and they were served by many skilled fighters.
Currently, any of them could hold a large army in their hands.
That was who Kurosaki and Mogami would be seeing attack their city.
That could only be called reckless, but they had a reason for doing so.
"They're going to use their money as a shield, aren't they? This continued sponsorship means the more money they give, the better our own weaponry will be. Using everything we said, they can claim to have aided in defense."
"Yuki, will that really be fine enough with everyone else?"
"It has to be. But as things are, they will use the greatest interpretations they can manage."
Yuki stuck out his tongue for a moment whole grimacing.
"That word is now leaving a bad taste in my mouth... I hate to think it's because I am actually starting to forgive those assholes."
"Your forgiveness is not that cheap, I know firsthand. That bad taste is probably because that word was used against someone who relies on things like interpretations to get through life."
This time Yuki clicked his tongue as he showed Kuruma a screen. It displayed a map of Mikado City in its entirety. Kong arrows started in the center of the city and extended to the west, north, and east. A few smaller arrows appeared as if to fill in the gaps.
"These are the best routes the companies can take. They extend nearly to the next cities, but they would still need time. ...Pushing back an invasion is possible, we proved that. Holding back an invasion is tricky, but manageable. Stalling an invasion so that other can escape without losing someone would take our full usage of equipment, meaning we would show off more than we would like."
The idiot turned Yuki's way while he, Murakami, and Kon ate a castella with a layer of adzuki beans.
"But aren't things going pretty bad for Animal Guy and Aftokrator?"
"If they are used as the basis for this, it is likely we would have time to prepare for any sort of invasion. Granted, that's if we start with our full usage by having Jin and Mei synch up."
Yuki zoomed in separately on some of the outer regions.
"For example, getting the lead in even a few areas means that we can focus more on the others who are less prepared."
"Then why don't we just start by creating more open paths?"
"Because that takes more than we have or are given at the moment."
.
"Listen," said Yuki to the idiot. "Let us say, Jinsei, that we tried something like that right now with minimal resources."
"Yes, what happens then, Kiyoshi?"
...Why does that piss me off so much!?
Then the idiot turned toward Kuruma and he smiled toward Yuki.
"What happens then, Kiyoshi?"
...Why does that warm my heart so much!?
"Jinsei, I have the heart of a saint right now, so it would take a lot to get under my skin. Give it your best shot."
"Oh, that's good to hear. To make sure Sekai didn't find out about the porn games I bought, I had them sent to your shored house with Mei and Shiro-chan in your name, so can you hold onto those for me?"
"You are the worst! People might consider those things, but no one ever actually does them!"
Yuki took a breath
"Anyway, if we try something without the proper amount of material or backing, it would at least give others a justification to say that we are stepping over the bounds. Extending our reach isn't worth exposing ourselves to retaliation like we have seen here, right? It is the same for everyone else. They cannot force things through too much."
Yuki took another breath.
"Also, everyone must be very careful about their own bounds. After all, it is about time they must face a turning point. ...And no turning point is greater than deciding how to have a city remain functioning. But for now, let us focus on something else."
After all...
"This three business meeting isn't over."
Manager: "Tenryū-san and Ikoma-san, we're counting on you."