Chapter 70: We've definitely offended them.
Rye used the word "sister," and coincidentally, Scotch does indeed have an older sister, a blood-related sister.
When her friend brought up the topic of brotherhood, Scotch didn't really feel anything. But when Rye opened her mouth, it was like stepping on a landmine.
This made Scotch suspect that the other party might be using the same method against her because she had some leverage over her before—when the three of them ran into Rye's brother at the train station earlier.
Unfortunately, the three of them didn't end up fighting and returned to the safe house safely.
For this mission, the three of them have been working together recently. Two snipers paired with one intelligence officer is a very normal team composition.
With Rye present, Bourbon and Scotch couldn't speak privately. They exchanged a glance in secret and then naturally began the handover of the mission.
Rye encountered a troublesome opponent during this mission, but luckily, the mission was completed normally.
Because of her injury, Rye finished her part and waved goodbye before returning to her room. Thus, the not-so-large living room was left with only the two childhood friends.
Scotch: "..."
Bourbon: "..."
Just as Bourbon was about to say something, her phone rang.
The vibration forced her to interrupt what she was about to say. She took out her phone and glanced at it, somewhat surprised.
Scotch casually remarked from the side, "A mission?"
"No, didn't I ask you today if you had any brothers?" Bourbon looked down at her phone, her fingers tapping on it. "I exchanged contact information with him."
As she said this, Bourbon placed the screen face down in front of Scotch. Snipers usually have excellent eyesight, and she could see the text on it at a glance.
Nozaki Umetarou: [I think I saw you tonight.]
Amuro Touko: [Eh?]
Nozaki Umetarou: [It's at this address... If you go out at night, be careful, it feels quite dangerous.]
The address mentioned by the other party was the alley where Rye was injured. After seeing this address, she consciously started to probe for information, and the other party's answer revealed quite a lot of information.
Nozaki Umetarou: [I encountered a rather dangerous person; she even jumped out of the car and ran away, almost causing a car accident.]
"That must be the person Rye met." Bourbon speculated. "But why would she ask about 'sisters'? No matter how you look at it, that boy wouldn't be mistaken for someone else's gender—even if foreigners think Asians all look alike, it shouldn't be enough to mistake their gender, right?"
Rye is also of mixed race, but compared to Furuya Rei, who grew up in Japan, Rye has a stronger Western feel.
Bourbon's chance encounter was one thing, but why did Rye have to run into him again by sheer coincidence? Even if the other person has a face that makes Furuya Rei more fond of him, Bourbon can't help but be wary and cautious.
She suspected that this was a trap, or perhaps one that Rye had orchestrated herself—the reason she chose the younger brother character was because of the time she met Rye's younger brother at the train station!
Find someone who looks like her, and when the truth about Rye's brother comes out, the other person can naturally bring up that Scotch also has a brother.
As for why the question was directed at the sisters? It was a test and a tactic.
It's very simple: just give a direction and then suddenly change the topic to catch people off guard. Grasp the key points of the question and observe the respondent's expression and subtle demeanor. This is the most basic method of undercover teaching.
"…Um, Rye shouldn't be that kind of person?" Scotch hesitated, then stopped.
Bourbon scoffed, "What wouldn't someone who rose to power through men do?"
Scotch opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.
Miyano Akira, a low-ranking member of the organization, became Rye's boyfriend after being framed by her, and it was through him that Rye was introduced into the organization. This is...
Rye's initial file.
If Miyano Akira were just an ordinary person, it wouldn't be so bad, but the other person happens to be the child of someone very important to Furuya Rei. Add to that their incompatible personalities, as if they were born to dislike each other.
Scotch: ...I guess you're the only one who doesn't like her; Rye seems to like you quite a bit.
Since her friend genuinely disliked the other person, Scotch never said it aloud.
In short, Bourbon never hesitated to assume the worst about Rye. Furthermore, Rye was a member of this criminal organization, inherently placing them on opposing sides.
"But she mentioned the police." Bourbon said in a low voice, and then fell silent.
Scotch knew that her friend simply wanted her to confirm whether her information had been exposed, and if so, to leave immediately.
"Could we arrange a meeting with that kid?" Scotch thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm curious about the person you and Rye have mentioned who looks a lot like me."
Bourbon glanced at her, sent her a message, and received an unexpected rejection. Looking at the message on her phone, Bourbon said, "He said he's going home. He just went out to clear his head today. He has school during the day, so he's busy."
Scotch: "...Still a student."
Scotch, who had graduated a few years ago, said in a slightly nostalgic and wistful tone, "In that case, let's just forget about it."
That being said, Bourbon couldn't possibly ignore the existence of "Nozaki Umetarou" and Scotch couldn't possibly ignore the possibility that her identity might be exposed, and what to do if it were exposed.
On the other side, after completing the mission, Morofushi Sora'aki, Hagiwara Kenmi, and Matsuda Jinko bid farewell, completely unaware that they had disturbed their peaceful dreams, and happily returned to their own world.
The ultimate goal of completing the mission is to serve the world in which Morofushi Sora'aki exists—a world created from countless wishes, much like the existence of a stone tablet.
Therefore, the existence of this world requires sufficient energy, which is why Morofushi Sora'aki's tasks seem somewhat inexplicable.
The only pity is that I didn't get to see my brother's gender-swapped form in that world yet. Maybe I'll come back next time?
With this thought in mind, Morofushi Sora'aki was about to take out his school uniform from the closet when he glanced at the calendar and belatedly realized that it was the weekend.
His hand, which was holding the school uniform shirt, paused for a moment, and then he took out the set next to him.
As I went downstairs, the first person I saw was my mother, who was up early. She greeted me with a smile, "Good morning, it's so bright and clear! It's Saturday, you can stay in bed a little longer!"
"Good morning, Mom." Morofushi Sora'aki shook his head: "I came downstairs as soon as I woke up."
Morofushi Hiromitsu, unusually a step later than him, came down the stairs, still yawning: "Good morning."
While eating breakfast, Morofushi Hiromitsu seemed to remember something and suddenly said to Morofushi Sora'aki, "By the way, Sora'aki, are you going to Miyano Clinic today?"
Morofushi Sora'aki: "She asked my brother for help again?"
Morofushi Hiromitsu: "You should call Akemi-neechan properly."
"Fifty-fifty? Half of it is Akemi's request, and the other half is that a guest came to the Miyano family. He is a new friend of my brother's and he wants to introduce you to him."
Morofushi Sora'aki had no intention of refusing, and after finishing his glass of milk, he nodded.
But fifty-fifty... I feel like my brother rarely says lines like that?
People on the street are wearing down jackets and scarves, and the surrounding shops have a strong Christmas atmosphere. He will be 18 years old after Christmas and the New Year.
Miyano Clinic was pretty much the same as usual, without any extra Christmas atmosphere... Ah, there was an extra one. Looking at the Christmas bells hanging at the door, Morofushi Sora'aki couldn't help but reach out and poke them.
Meanwhile, Miyano Shiho, dressed in a round and plump outfit, casually remarked, "You're still so childish."
Morofushi Sora'aki glanced at her: "...Aren't you hot?"
Miyano Shiho: "..."
Miyano Shiho: "Because my mom and sister think I'll be cold, and the temperature is indeed a bit lower than usual this year, so be careful not to catch a cold."
Morofushi Sora'aki understood; it's a kind of coldness that your mother feels you feel.
"Thank you for your concern, but I don't have a cold this time."
"Who cares about you!" Miyano Shiho crossed her arms, but had no intention of going into the room.
Morofushi Sora'aki seemed to realize something belatedly: "You're in a bad mood?"
"I didn't—" Miyano Shiho retorted instinctively, then looked at Morofushi Sora'aki suspiciously: "That obvious?"
All the hidden spirits pointed their heads.
Miyano Shiho puffed out her cheeks: "An annoying person came to our house. My mom, dad, and sister all fawn over him. He's even more annoying than Furuya Rei!"
Morofushi Sora'aki understood: "It seems he's quite annoying."
Furuya Rei: "...Um, actually I was still here, you know?"
Morofushi Hiromitsu: "Haha, you're being disliked again. It seems everyone likes you, Zero."
Furuya Rei: "...Listen carefully to what you're saying, Hiro."
"Huh? Why don't you come in?" At that moment, the bell on the door rang, and the door opened from the inside. A long-haired man, still holding the doorknob with one hand, spoke in a remarkably magnetic voice, "Isn't it cold outside?"
Upon hearing the voice, Morofushi Sora'aki turned to look at the newcomer. Seeing the familiar long hair, the familiar lower eyeliner, and the green eyes, Morofushi Sora'aki's mind went blank for a moment: "Aren't you a woman?"
Akai Shuuichi: "...?"
Morofushi Hiromitsu: "...Hmm?"
Furuya Rei: "...cough!"
Miyano Shiho: "Pfft!"
She readily followed her friend's lead and said, "Haha, I knew this long hair would cause misunderstandings, right?"
After saying that, she gave Morofushi Sora'aki a thumbs up from behind.
Morofushi Hiromitsu placed his hand on Morofushi Sora'aki's shoulder and smoothed things over, saying, "Well, my brother might have mistaken someone for someone else."
Morofushi Sora'aki said that one should not speak carelessly: "I have evidence."
As he spoke, Morofushi Sora'aki took out his phone and showed the photos he had taken earlier to the people present.
Looking at the beautiful, battle-damaged older woman on the phone, the scene fell into a strangely awkward silence.
Furuya Rei: "...Aren't you really a woman, Akai?"
Miyano Shiho: "Medical technology is now advanced enough to support sex reassignment surgery."
Akai Shuuichi: "...Why don't you ask me if I have any sisters?" Why do you so naturally assume I'm transgender?
Morofushi Hiromitsu: "Do you have a twin sister?"
Akai Shuuichi: "...No?"
Morofushi Sora'aki chimed in, "Isn't that right?"
Akai Shuuichi: "..."
Akai Shuuichi seriously considered whether he had offended any of the people present, and then, after thinking about it carefully… ah, it seemed he had indeed.