Working from the Shadows

(Phew… We finally got away from Kotonojo-san. I’m glad she bought us lunch, but it was hard hearing her rip on HAMA the whole time…)

Dammit, that asshole… Just kept on talking shit…

Well…she did make some points. Phew…

…? Kafka, you look pale. Are you okay?

It’s just too sunny and hot here. Since this area has a lot of history, we should loo⁠—

Ugh…

Kafka?!

…!

Kafka, do you have a fever? You’re burning up.

I said I’m fine. I’m just tired after climbing the hill. Leave me alone…

No. I’m carrying you.

…Put me down…!

Kafka, calm down!

…It does seem like a fever.

It’s not that bad…

H-Hey. Is he okay?

Uh-oh. It’s pretty hilly here, so maybe we should take a break.

It hasn’t been long since Oguro had his surgery. We should go back to our hotel.

Huh? I don’t wanna. It’s still the middle of the day.

Let’s go back, Chief.

Okay. Let’s put a hold on our plans for now, everyone. You guys can look around on your own. Yuki-nii and I are gonna take Kafka back to the hotel.

Yachiyo-kun, sorry to push this on you, but can you take the reference pictures that we mentioned in the guidebook?

H-Hokay! I can do that! President Oguro, w-will you be okay?

…Damn. Why’d I have to get a fever now, of all times?

Traveling takes a lot out of you already, so you shouldn’t push yourself. Let’s go.

See you tomorrow, everyone.

Fuck, Kotonojo-sama should’ve known that was Liguang from the Lurong family. Why’d we have to stop?

I still remember that time they came into our territory and fucked shit up. I found Liguang’s hotel. Let’s raid ‘im.

If those HAMA deer found out one of their top guns got attacked, they’d be scared shitless!

Aurgh…!

W-What’s your deal…?!

Excuse me.

Ugh!!

Agh…

Dàgē…!

…!

Dwah…!

Qù sǐ ba… Ugh…

…Murakumo Ten. Why are you here?

Come on, that’s all I get as thanks?

You got in the way.

I heard you were gonna be around these parts, so I came here to ask for my pay. You can add a “getting in the way” bonus, if you wanna.

*sigh* We’ll have it masked and sent to your account.

Have you been protecting Liguang-sama?

Well, that’s not part of my job, now is it? I’m just here to stake out your target.

Besides, does he really need my help? He could kill someone just by looking at them.

Anyway, thanks for the business. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

*sigh…* Is the information from Nishizono Renga really so important that we had to hire the likes of him…?

(No, I am Liguang-sama’s faithful blade. I have no need for thoughts.)

Urgh… Fuck… Where’d those assholes go…?

Hey, trash heap.

Ack! Kotonojo-sama…

Sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, I see. I assume that means you’d like Chinto to be kicked out of the Oryukai?

N-N-N-Not at all! This was all our idea, just the four of us…!!

Is that so…?

P-Please!! We’ll get on our knees…! You can even cut off our fingers…!

I DON’T NEED YOUR FILTHY FUCKING FINGERS!!!

You. Be my chair.

Y-Yes, of course…!

…I see Sojun is still acting as the Lurong family’s guard dog. But I’m more curious about that other guy who showed up…

(When I met him at lunch, I thought he was just a frivolous little brat, but…he has skill.)

Ahhh… Ahh, I want him.

I want him so bad.

I want him… I want him, I want him, I want him…

(But he’s on Liguang’s side for now. I’ll wait for my chance.)

And when it finally comes…how should I play with you, Murakumo Ten…? Haha.