Chapter 161

“…It’s excessively considerate to the point of being frightening.”

That thought crossed my mind as I put on the social attire prepared for me.

“This is incredibly… Ugh! Uncomfortable…!”

The improved yukata, with no exposure whatsoever in its design, fit my body just as expected.

…Why? I decided not to think too deeply about it. I was resigned to the fact that my measurements must have been written down in the staff list.

The overall tone was a shading of black that was almost gloomy. However, to claim it wasn’t mourning attire, there was a bright orange pattern on one sleeve… I figured it would be fine to wear it to the social gathering.

To be honest… the fashion sense in this neighborhood seems to be set around costumes created with a concept in mind, so if it’s not feasible to wear combat gear, it’s actually more convenient to be given something like this.

– I apologize. However, the design is such that as long as the waist is secured tightly, the other areas will be free from concern, so please tolerate it a little longer. –

“Ugh.”

Was that a sound like a snap? In any case, Zero grumbled as he pulled tightly on the loose fabric attached to the waistband of the outfit.

He was unintentionally mimicking a clothing store clerk but didn’t seem particularly angry.

Instead, he appeared satisfied with finding something to assist with. Therefore, if the sensation of a hand felt sharp at times, it could be speculated that it was his discontent with another role he’d taken on…

I don’t particularly like to emphasize something awkwardly, but if a few words can provide encouragement, it would be odd not to do so….

“…Hey. For me to work comfortably inside, you have to keep a firm grasp on the external movements. If anything happens, I’ll call for you through communication, so until then, keep an eye out for any signs of Kajun trying to stab me in the back.”

For this occasion, I had successfully included Zero in the external encirclement, under the pretense of a portable weapon and communicator.

It was odd for someone like me, a side character at an upper-class party, to be accompanied by such an ostentatious droid like him, and I had been careful to position him out of sight, worrying about potentially catching the attention of someone like the well-regarded executive director.

It seemed like Zero was more displeased about losing his designated position than he was happy about going outside.

– …I’m uneasy about having a tracker assigned to guard Ahsa. In case of emergency, I wouldn’t be able to rescue you alone. –

“That’s already a problematic issue since the moment you started coming and going through Enema.”

Although it ended in somewhat of a light rebuke, he seemed to have recognized that if he kept his wits about him, he could fulfill a role of crisis forecasting, indicated by his scanner flashing repeatedly.

I considered checking my outfit in the mirror, but the thought that it might look wrong made me abandon that idea.

Now was the time to work. I also needed to have a brief chat with Show before formally starting my tasks.

“Alright…! Then, I’ll see you after work.”

– I wish you good fortune. –

That was how we exchanged a mundane farewell as I left the room.

Doesn’t that sound a bit odd?

Until I can steal the materials, all physical activities will be up to the tracker, so if I find myself needing to call for Zero before that, it means something has already gone wrong.

I might feel a bit anxious, but sorting out the issues promptly and reconvening seemed to be the best approach.

In that case, it’s essential not to get mixed up with strange types like last time… Right? I distinctly assigned surveillance duties!

………

………

…

“Then, we’ll depart immediately.”

““……””

I silently glared at Kajun, who cautiously closed the car door after escorting the superiors.

There was a degree of intimidation in making it clear that if things went awry, I would at least turn his soul inside out, but also because the gaze of another person silently staring at me was too burdensome, I needed somewhere to turn my eyes.

Come on… if the aide has something to say, at least respond. Stop looking at me.

You may or may not know, but it is said that any vehicle classified with a partition between the front and back seats can be defined as a limousine.

While I hadn’t had an opportunity to ride in one in my previous life, it was amusing that this was already my second experience in this life.

Excluding instances where I was merely treated like a lump of cargo by the black market, this was essentially my first time, and I couldn’t help but compare it unconsciously.

There were no fancy cocktail bars that suggested a sophisticated hobby. Instead, there was a glimpse of syringes piled up in a translucent low-temperature storage unit… that was a bit scary. Hmm.

The overall seat size was compact. Rather than being a large U-shape, the seats were aligned facing forward.

It didn’t exactly reveal a sense of simplicity; it felt like the expected passengers had only been planned to be myself and one or two companions.

So, in essence, what that meant was that while I had wanted an opportunity to talk privately, the distance between us was much closer than I had expected…!

“Huuh….”

With a buzzing sound vibrating through the air as a starting point, the car began to move.

I didn’t know how far it was to the social venue, but since the conversation could linger, it was best to break the ice quickly before arrival.

While it was cowardly and cunning, after enduring a somewhat forced pseudo-blind date for a considerable period, I, too, had observed Show as he incessantly kept an eye on me.

Through that precarious process of looking into one another, I discovered twisted goodwill, dependence, and obsession lurking beneath the surface.

Oh… The context provides a troubling basis for speculation.

In any case, the matter was straightforward.

I had to confess my true feelings before the opposing claim, which starkly contradicted Show’s zealous belief, could be articulated by someone else.

Even though Kajun declared that among the party attendees, no key figures from Enema aside from the target, Kasane Amagi, were present, her existence alone was more than enough to weigh heavy on me.

“Where exactly does it say I resemble your mother!?” it was fully possible that I could get dragged into torturous outcomes by such an exclamation.

Moreover, even without someone pointing it out, I worried about how this guy would introduce me to others.

Would he just say I was merely a partner for appearances? Even if he did, poking and prodding into which position I came from to catch the attention of an executive director would render me at a loss for an answer. I wasn’t an ordinary employee.

Thus, if a negotiation was going to occur, this was the moment.

Right after this offensive operation commenced, with the opportunity to question hanging in the air, I had to smoothly wrap things up without leaving behind any loose ends, no matter how I confessed.

“Ahem, um… Executive Director Edamatsu…?”

“……?”

I turned to him politely.

He looked at me with a sorrowful expression, as if questioning why I was using such a stiff title again.

However, I shouldn’t back down here. I had already taken advantage of a heavy emotional burden on him for over a week, and drawing a vague line would be meaningless.

“I’ve been indulging in your kindness until now… but I need to clearly state something. I’m far removed from being the family member you long for and wish to see…!”

Ignoring the gaze directed at me, I declared my conscience with resolve.

I considered mentioning Show’s mother, Suzunashi’s name, but realizing it could lead to serious consequences if I carelessly brought up an outsider, I decided to correct myself at the last moment.

Not to mention that juxtaposing her, described as an embodiment of motherhood, with a rookie with only one year of experience is practically worrisome for the child’s mental state.

If time passes peacefully without major incidents, a resolution might eventually be reached.

“…Indeed.”

‘Huh…?’

Something felt strange. I swallowed dryly at the rising anxiety.

I had anticipated a vehement reaction from Show, even if he didn’t know the direction. But instead of loosening up, he broke into a hearty laugh.

That deep and bright smile was frightening.

Had I approached it the wrong way? I thought I had made it clear to avoid any grotesque misunderstandings this time. No matter how much he tends to swallow things in his own way after hearing others, wouldn’t he have some kind of perspective in this situation?

The answer… was surprisingly simple. He had already confirmed it long before.

“I am well aware. I’ve collected the dishes you’ve used and strands of hair you’ve lost and conducted genetic tests multiple times.”

“…?”

Huh? …What? …Huh?

★

☆

★

☆

“……”

Edamatsu quietly observed Anastasia, who appeared completely bewildered by the unexpected reply.

Although his heart felt a pang of nostalgia at her flustered demeanor, he was busily savoring the slight guilt she displayed.

He had ordered a dish that he believed would suit her.

The black silk flowed like a veil of serene night sky, creating an air of comfort rather than foreboding, and the embroidery on the arms naturally drew the viewer’s attention with eyes radiating warmth beyond mere body temperature.

Although she seemed pitiable, he privately lamented how beauty, completed beneath an upright disposition, would attract others so shamelessly.

For a time, he had yearned.

He had attempted to discover who the girl was, appearing before him like a miracle, seeking to determine if she were merely a trap, like the mirage appearing in the desert, sent to mesmerize him.

If he trusted the internally verified results, the genetic matching rate between Anastasia Makarovich and Suzunashi Amagi was about 30%.

Certainly, she wasn’t some random outsider. But she also wasn’t his hoped-for salvation.

Thus, Edamatsu found himself in despair once. Ah, why did I arrive at such a hasty misjudgment? Why did I so easily conflate the two?

The conclusion drawn through lengthy agony and introspection was remarkably clear.

“…At first, I certainly mistook it, but I did not dare to equate you with my mother and keep gazing at you.”

“Ah…?”

Cautiously, one of his fingers brushed against the short hair near her neck as if to confirm its texture.

Her neck recoiled, appearing to express a strong intention to reject, but he paid it no mind. She did not shy away, and there would be ample time to positively develop this relationship going forward.

Of course… the fact that there wasn’t much space to escape was hardly a concern.

“I surely wished for my mother to come back to life and be with me once again. Then everything would be alright… I naively believed the fog of confusion ahead would lift.”

The cowardly escapee.

Unable to defy a father who repeatedly conducted mad experiments, and lacking the courage to ask his siblings for answers in a household where he felt utterly small. He evaluated himself objectively.

“However, regrettably, the time when parental care was needed to move forward has already passed.”

“Um, Director…? Show?? I’m having trouble keeping up with the conversation…!”

Realizing that Edamatsu had tilted his upper body toward the seat next to him, as if a cat with its fur standing on end would dart off at any moment, he quickly straightened up.

Right, one shouldn’t rush things. After all, it’s better to treat the other person as an equal, right? Even the cocky aide hadn’t advised him otherwise.

For now, he needed to express the emotions he had felt. Step by step, he approached.

“You awakened my foolish mind that was wilting day by day.”

“Didn’t you embrace me as I cried uncontrollably?”

“Knowing full well what happened to this broken fool…”

“Did you not observe without pretending to know?”

“While not even lying, you seemed burdened by deceiving others.”

“Just a moment ago, didn’t you express concern about the potential harm to the other party?”

“Eek!?”

Oops, did I chatter a bit too one-sidedly? Seeing her shocked expression, he belatedly ceased his impassioned speech.

In any case, he had come to a realization.

What he truly desired was an understanding individual who could acknowledge and embrace the lingering wounds deep within him.

In that sense, Anastasia was a perfectly mixed existence.

With shared memories of his mother, she had inherited some of his preferences, yet possessed a complete self and heart, along with a nostalgic charm.

With only a partial match in genes and being registered as the doctor’s adopted daughter, those two facts led him to discover infinitely close truths, and he entertained the thought that there was more to uncover… yet he no longer cared.

“…From now on, I won’t recklessly pry into your secrets. However, I kindly ask you to stay a little longer by my side.”

If he were to desire something as vulgar as his real mother and attempt to act on it, it would be no different from the contemptible behavior of other siblings.

But if the object of affection were merely another person, sharing the same blood, who preserved memories…?

It is said that marriages between cousins have been permitted in Japan since ancient times. If that’s the case, loving a woman who is a reinterpretation of his mother, Anastasia, is a behavior that is infinitely gray when it comes to sin, right?

It was the apex of a reckless self-rationalization, but unfortunately or fortunately, there was no one here to point that out.

There was, of course, no assurance that he would give up simply because someone told him to.

“Uh, yeah. Um, uh.”

And in response to his fervent proposal, Anastasia managed to show a twisted and trembling smile somehow.

……Let’s run away like the wind as soon as this is over. She swore to herself.