He hadn't expected to return here again so soon.
After the ribbon covering his eyes was removed, Ritsu noticed Gin signaling to him with his eyes, so he proactively walked to the right side of the door. Reaching out, he pressed one of the crow's ruby-red eyes, copying the same method Gin had used to open the door last time.
—"Performing iris recognition scan. Please align your eyes with the scanner. Thank you."
—"Identity confirmed. Welcome home, Macallan."
Standing behind him, Vodka's face was filled with envy. He still hadn't obtained clearance to enter this room, meaning his iris data had never been registered into the security system.
However, he didn't feel jealous.
In Vodka's eyes, Ritsu was already one of them. More than that, he treated him like a younger brother. Seeing him excel and gain recognition from the higher-ups naturally filled him with pride.
"Vodka, wait in the car for us."
"Got it, Boss."
Ritsu followed Gin deeper inside. After passing through the hundred-meter corridor, they arrived at the familiar chamber.
Sitting in the chair was none other than that person, still wearing the crow-shaped mask.
As expected, he still had no intention of revealing his face.
But unlike last time, there was now a small pure-black Mandalay cat resting in his arms. Its breed looked very pure, and its yellowish-brown eyes resembled priceless amber, instantly drawing attention.
A pure-black cat.
The sight reminded Ritsu of Kurotan, who was staying with Shiho. But the cat before him looked noticeably thinner.
A cat raised by the organization's boss obviously wouldn't be skinny from lack of food. It was probably sick. It also appeared lethargic, likely an elderly cat.
"Macallan, you seem to have grown another half centimeter since your last visit."
Ritsu froze briefly, though he didn't take the remark too seriously. He assumed it was simply that person's unique way of greeting him, perhaps an attempt to show concern.
"The failure of the Finlandia elimination mission was my responsibility. Please punish me as you see fit, sir."
"Heh heh."
That person chuckled softly while the hand clad in a black velvet glove slowly stroked the black cat resting on his lap.
"The mission's failure was within my expectations. The true purpose of sending you there this time... was to observe what kind of actions they would take."
"So you already knew there was an informant on the Japan side, sir?"
"The organization has existed for many years. Inevitably, there are fools who covet my position." The man paused slightly before continuing, "Macallan, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Since this was essentially criminals fighting amongst themselves, Ritsu had few reservations and boldly speculated,
"The three members who acted alongside me can be ruled out. Personally, I suspect an intelligence division member outside Gin's sphere of control."
Although Gin was the organization's overall leader in Japan, his primary responsibility was the action division. The intelligence division's main superior was a female codename member called Calvados. He had learned that information from Rei, since she was Rei's direct superior.
After a brief pause, he added, "The medical division and logistics division also can't be ruled out. Those two groups have relatively broad freedom of movement in daily operations, and they have access to a great deal of information regarding organization members. They'd also be able to hide themselves very well."
After listening to Ritsu's analysis, satisfaction flickered through the man's aqua-green eyes.
"Very good reasoning. Gin, this child's thoughts are the same as yours."
"Mm." Thinking back on the data they had already filtered through, Gin said in a low voice, "This rat is very cunning. We failed to catch her this time, but at the very least, we can restrict her movements now. Next time, she won't escape."
"I believe you can carry out this rat-hunting operation successfully. Gin, leave us for a moment. There are some matters I wish to discuss with Macallan alone."
"Yes, sir."
If Gin was being dismissed so they could speak privately, then the topic was probably related to the mysterious organization again.
'So another gemstone had caught their attention?'
As Ritsu expected, the man raised a hand and pointed toward an object resting on the nearby mahogany table.
It was a parchment scroll.
"Macallan, open it."
Ritsu stepped forward and unfurled the scroll, revealing a rather abstract painting. Upon closer inspection, he could make out a woman protecting her abdomen with both hands, while a gemstone was embedded where her stomach should be.
"A child is a mother's greatest treasure. This sapphire is called Mother and Son. It is the target the mysterious organization intends to pursue this time."
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
Recalling the earlier description of the Pandora gemstone, Ritsu asked, "You previously said Pandora emits a red glow. But Mother and Son is a sapphire. The mysterious organization may not necessarily make a move, correct?"
"A sapphire alone would not interest them. The issue lies with its owner." The man's tone remained calm as he explained, "He publicly stated that under certain light, this gemstone can emit a crimson glow."
A sapphire appearing red wasn't particularly unusual, though it required specific lighting conditions. Whether the owner had exaggerated the claim for publicity was uncertain, but the mysterious organization clearly wouldn't overlook even the slightest possibility.
Thinking about the drug that induced berserk states, Ritsu decided that if he encountered the codename member Leo again this time, he absolutely had to obtain a sample somehow. Only then could he analyze its chemical composition.
"I understand now."
"They will not let go of any opportunity, and neither can we. So Macallan, this time I want you to capture Leo, or kill him. Consider it a warning to them."
"Understood, sir."
"The gemstone will be exhibited next Wednesday at the Suzuki Museum of Art in 5-Chome, Beika Town. The exhibition begins at 7:00 PM. I wish you success in advance."
"Thank you for your blessing, sir. I guarantee the mission's success."
"I am tired now. You may leave."
"Yes, sir."
Leaving respectfully, Ritsu didn't dare glance back. He walked straight toward the entrance, where Gin was waiting outside.
Proactively, he pulled out the black ribbon from his pocket and wrapped it around his eyes.
"Gin, sorry to trouble—"
"Hold this."
A cold metallic sensation touched his hand.
That shape—
It was Gin's Beretta M92F.
"Let's go."
"...Okay."
Ritsu's emotions became a tiny bit complicated. He hadn't expected Gin to hand over his personal sidearm for him to hold onto.
Involuntarily, he imagined the two of them walking one in front of the other, and the image gave off the strange feeling of a kindergarten teacher leading a child across the street.
He quickly shook his head, trying to banish the horrifying thought. Unfortunately, the mental image was far too vivid, and it stubbornly refused to disappear.
"What are you doing? Is your face itchy?"
Gin frowned and turned to look at Ritsu, who was shaking his head around strangely.
"Yeah, my eyes were a little itchy."
Ritsu could only go along with the explanation. He even symbolically rubbed at them twice before saying,
"It's fine now."
"Mm."