Chapter 177

“Why haven’t the finger foods been refilled since a while ago? …Is the waiter not coming back a legitimate excuse??”

Even with a sip of alcohol.

“…I still don’t quite understand why you insist on picking people for surgery who can’t even afford it, turning up to work in a disheveled state in such a cheap establishment.”

“Tsk tsk, don’t act like you don’t know! It’s not the act itself that matters, but the desperation that brings people to tears over a single tip—that’s what makes it delicious…!”

No matter where one turns their gaze.

“Hmm, I see that the designer of Serendipity Boutique must still enjoy this sort of thing without end. Just like last year right after their gender reassignment surgery.”

“They periodically lower the threshold of their pleasure center and receive special prescriptions to induce a state of dopamine fasting, so they can enjoy everything anew every time, or so they say. Something to that effect.”

“How…fearless. It’s probably better if you only tamper with your brain using verified medicines and implants…”

No matter which way one listens.

“Auuuughhh! Merciless world—! The prison you’ve put me in is far too narrow! Why have you cursed me to be born in a desolate world with only 34,792 satellite channels…!!”

“…Why is that journalist friend acting like that?”

“They said they had to quickly feel the effects to write the article, so they mixed it all into a brandy and gulped it down in one shot. They’ll probably pass out soon.”

“…”

Nutritious it is not; not a single person or subject piques any interest in this utterly valueless scene.

Edamatsu Amagi, more often called by his recent rarely-used nickname of Show, was increasingly being referred to as such. Unable to bear it any longer, he temporarily shut out all external stimuli.

Because of his recent enthusiastic pursuits in different forms of sexual relations, his clothes were disheveled, to say the least.

Even though the effects of alcohol hadn’t faded, there were those who, in some cases, were exhibiting incredible chemical reactions but were still insisting on delivering toasts and speeches out of a sense of misplaced responsibility. It was somewhat understandable to respond with some degree of irritability in such a situation.

So, was he repulsed by them? …Hmm. Show himself had undoubtedly gone through a phase where he sought to numb his inner emptiness with extreme stimuli and substitutes. As someone who used to abuse even the memory projector of Elysium just to escape reality, he had no grounds to judge others.

Even if it was for such an important task, just the thought of standing amidst these people who were losing themselves to alcohol and similar pastimes alongside casual conversation, pretending not to have a care in the world, was utterly exhausting.

If only she were standing there beside him right now, pretending to be aloof but still checking if there was anything she could help him with out of the corner of her eye — albeit always acting like it was just a small favor — but really, she made his heart ache.

In fact, if Anastasia were around, he wouldn’t even feel this unpleasantness in the first place. Simply having her presence nearby, knowing she existed at all, had enabled him to stop using the sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication he used to depend on like candy since his childhood.

Of course, he had started consistently taking other substances instead.

For instance, regulators that slow down blood circulation and beta-blockers that steady his heartbeat!

It was only because they were still in the process of building something new and Show had been taking his time, following protocols step by step, before crossing any boundaries that he managed to refrain from devouring the dark-haired girl who kept innocently showing how much she trusted him.

But even ignoring the central operation for which he needed to assist, Anastasia simply couldn’t be here right now, because of the very reason standing right ahead.

“Kyaa…! How does the boss keep getting better and better every day? Is it the clothes? Or is it this décor…or am I just blind to her rising beauty?”

“Hem hem hem! President Kasane, did you like the last gift? If you’d returned at least a simple response…”

“Hmm…It’s good to see that everyone is enjoying themselves properly. Nonetheless, even during such joyous events, could you perhaps follow a turn order to speak? After all, the night…is still young.”

Just look at the sea of people gathered like insects.

With alluring little nasal intonations, enigmatic smiles, occasional casual touches to someone’s forearm or a slight caress of the jawline, she skillfully managed and pacified her followers. At the same time, she adeptly handled — and sometimes distanced herself from — those who overstepped boundaries, deftly steering the group’s attention and setting the tone for the gathering.

A social gathering, supposedly meant for networking, yet here stood Kazane Amagi, commanding queen of the moment. Even if she hadn’t been the formal organizer of the event, her natural charisma was clearly strong enough to pull the spotlight to herself anyway.

Yet, the thought of Kazane being involved with Anastasia…the planned upcoming event itself might have been somewhat wild, but most importantly, the sight of that woman constantly in his partner’s view was hard to bear.

…Especially since there was a possibility that this woman could be related to the lifelong nightmare he had wrestled with.

“…Huh?”

Her sharp upward glance intensified. In contrast, her elegant eyebrows fell aggressively.

The sight of each other was equally irritating. Though one could have pretended not to notice and simply ignore the other, the continued sight of her calmly toasting people with drinks and frivolously squandering her expensive collections was unbearable.

Moreover, the cool attitude of Commander Tiennes toward the recent unpleasant argument had damaged the mutual tacit understanding they had painstakingly built — and he was already feeling irked.

Clack clack.

With the firm intent of getting rid of this annoying obstacle once and for all, Kazane confidently crossed the hall toward Show.

And Show thanked her silently in his heart that she had saved him the effort of approaching her.

“Didn’t I clearly ask you before? To give it a rest and step aside from your spot. Did you come out here to play after being cooped up for too long? Or maybe your partner from back in the day couldn’t keep up and fainted so you’ve come here to waste time?”

Whatever scheme she might have had in mind wasn’t clear, but confident in the victory of her numbers game…

Kazane had thrown a line, asking why an unwelcome visitor who neither contributed nor pleased the host was still lingering, and subtly hinted that it was time to leave.

This complex manipulation was so refined that it would have warranted appreciation from anyone with a discerning eye.

Indeed, the media industry attendees were quite interested in how this unfiltered tension would unfold.

However, for a verbal sparring match to work, the other party also has to be willing to engage within a set boundary.

One of Kazane’s two mistakes in this moment was the fact that her interest in maintaining her amusing banter was gradually fading. The other was…

“…By now, my partner should have concluded her business and is probably on their way back.”

“What…?”

Insane dogs don’t bite while sizing up a situation. They bite into flesh first, regardless of the consequences later.

Back in the day, the goal was only reconnaissance, adjusting their interference to something like a tax audit. Now, with the intention of outright destroying him, and updates about the operation’s progress continuously buzzing in his ears, why should he have to endure any longer? …Of course he wouldn’t!

“From now on, there will be sights too ugly to bear. So, it won’t do to have any nasty blood stains on a blank canvas meant to hold only my colors and shape.”

“…Are you serious, Edamatsu? Whatever ridiculous plan has led you to act like this, disappear right now from in front of me…!”

But it was too late. Kazane, having glanced at Show’s terrifying face—a clear threat to kill her for mentioning his partner again—froze momentarily. Her insult mid-sentence trailed off.

It may not have been due solely to Show’s threat or ominous warning. The massive sound of gunfire starting outside had a significant impact as well.

“What? You son of a…!!”

Something was very wrong.

Kazane took a strained breath and urgently brought up the security network on her retinal display.

Main access routes…normal. Internal team…no unusual reports. External recording devices…peaceful.

“But what the hell…!”

Yet all these indicators, given the current lack of updates from the trackers or any staff, were effectively red signals of disaster.

Eyeing Show with an expression that promised regret, Kazane moved her feet towards one of her subordinates who might know more of the situation.

So she was still thinking logically in terms of cost and benefit. Poorly.

Kuodang…!!!

“Kyaa!? Miss Kazane!”

“Kiieee…! What do we do!!”

Coolly and cruelly, Show tripped Kazane with her own high-heel, causing her to fall. Nonchalantly, he grabbed an appropriate bottle from the adjacent table and poured it into his glass that was half-empty.

One of her loyal subordinates hurriedly dropped the tray he was carrying and reached for his gun but…

Crunch!!

“Agghhhh!!?”

Instantly, Show’s bodyguard crushed the subordinate’s wrist and threw him to the ground like trash.

Of course, there were many armed employees whose hands trembled subtly as they tried to reach for weapons in their pockets after seeing this scene.

As surrounding guests either screamed or remained silent,

Show, slowly approaching the fallen sister as if inviting anyone to try to stop him, kindly poured the contents of his glass onto her head.

As if commanding her to wake up from her pleasant dreams and snap out of it.

“Let me tell you this only once. Drug production system interim manager, Kazane Amagi. You have been suspended from your executive position due to offenses of confidential information leakage and embezzlement collusion. The corporate investigation team and the on-site adjudication team are on their way, so cooperate accordingly.”

“S-suspended…? On-site adjudication!? You dumb puppy! That’s absurd! The board doesn’t have that kind of power…! Who’s being fooled here, you dumb idiot??”

“But it’s been approved by the High Commission, who just received reports of physical confiscation of evidence. With an undeniable majority consent.”

“What?!?”

Her scream cut sharply as her voice trailed off.

The High Commission of Enema consists of three members: Eldest Son Showuto, Lady Suzunashi, and President Ohtsuge himself.

Considering that Suzunashi, listed as ‘on indefinite leave,’ has no voting rights, and given the long-term dysfunction of the council, an approval from a majority of voting members meant…

Her lips parted wide with shock and bloodshot eyes.

Even if they couldn’t grasp the exact details, when the matter seemed to have a legitimate basis, the movements of some attendees, who had previously shifted uneasily as if to help the fallen Kazane, came to a halt.

It was quite superficial, Show judged harshly.

Whether during subtle psychological battles or in opposing stances, these people could only provide support when it didn’t fully jeopardize their standing. And when it came to risking everything, they faltered, and to Show, that was only natural.

“The party is over. Let me make this clear: anyone who resists now may face difficulties even in normal return procedures post-operation.”

CRASH!!!

Crack crack crack…

From the balcony. To the windows facing outside.

Structural glass and walls shattered uniformly as strange figures equipped with rappelling gear or hoverpacks stormed in.

“To what do we owe this breaking news, hmm?”

Multiple cameras flashing around didn’t bother the highly trained soldiers.

They were accustomed to dealing with it during every official operation, and they were satisfied once they confirmed that the dignitaries had retreated to the safety of walls.

“Wait, wait, hold on! Show? Our adorable youngest brother. Such a tender baby. There’s no way Daddy would back O-Nii-san, but you definitely gave wise…uh, advice which he followed. Correct? Correct??? So there’s a huge misunderstanding right now. There’s absolutely no way I’ve been involved in anything that could warrant the removal of a position…! Please, please believe me. Okay??”

Realizing her soldiers were submitting without resistance due to the absence of their commanding officers, Kazane switched tactics.

If the internal council had taken this step, then Edamatsu Executive, though a personal nemesis, was now the primary channel or liaison for communication.

No matter how humiliating, clinging on was the rational conclusion she arrived at.

“…Is that so? Then…”

While a seemingly confused victim, Kazane was completely unaware that Show had waited for this brief opportunity for an incredibly long time — nearly 30 years — to decide the fates of his siblings and bury their heads into whatever demands that came their way.

With quiet gentleness and softness, as if offering false hope…

Show’s face drew near to the soaked mouse beneath him, close enough even that no tracker could eavesdrop in the midst of the turmoil.

“There’s actually one piece of information I really want to know…would you be able to answer it for me, Big Sister?”

“!!”

Before even knowing the question, she instinctively nodded as someone prepared to drown would cling to any straw, receiving a look of satisfaction from him.

Would it please his sadistic streak? Maybe in the past, but not this time.

Looking forward to the authority that would soon be absorbed? No, he was completely disinterested.

It was simply the premonition of getting a truthful answer to a long-buried mystery that resurfaced the lingering hatred, somewhat softened since meeting Anastasia.

“About 30 years ago…the night before the corporate war, the night Mother faced tragedy, there was a careless child who secretly wandered out. It was to retrieve a toy he’d hidden earlier during a treasure hunt.”

“…That same night? The garden??”

What was the purpose of this traumatized youth dredging up his own past traumas? What connection could these seemingly random tales have with the information at hand?

The question was quickly answered.

“Among the many brothers and sisters, two of you were talking in hushed tones. Too young to understand what was being discussed, I didn’t even recognize who you were, but…anyway. With the casualness of discussing the weather, ‘We’ll fabricate a Dead Link interference and leak our position in order to make the chairman’s seat vacant,’ you had said.”

“That…what? No, you…surely you wouldn’t possibly…?”

Her eyes, bulging under the pressure and veins bursting from them as crimson blood trailed down from them.

Fate was cruel. Almost excessively. The actual target, President Ohtsuge, had left at dawn for an emergency trip, and the young boy Show, too young to speak of what he witnessed, became forever burdened with the weight of unspoken secrets and regret.

In the end, the only one who fell victim to the dirty plot was the spiritual pillar of the Amagi clan, who had never dipped so much as a finger in any conspiracy.

“At that moment, the woman who acquiesced to the treacherous plan without a single word of protest—was it you, Kazane Amagi?”

“I…no, it’s a misunderstanding. No. I…”

In front of her, receiving decades of pent-up, grotesquely twisted resentment, her normally poised and conniving demeanor crumbled, trembling uncontrollably, and her words slurred as if she had lost her mind.

If this temptress were the culprit, or at least had some knowledge of it, it would have provided a clearer objective… But now, realizing she knew nothing, all the time spent analyzing her surroundings felt wasteful.

There was nothing else to be done. Just like always, he would have to meticulously continue his investigation into the family, pretending they were on good terms.

“…Spare any thoughts of making excuses to Father, Sister. The moment he knows this, his rage will be more than sufficient to rip each of your brains out raw. He swore that he would personally hunt you down and kill you if he ever found you.”

“Hh…!?”

Show’s suppressed malice gradually folded into a smirk.

Originally, it was his role as the surveillance executive to remain and monitor the evidence collection process, read out the verdict, and notify the defendant of the penalty decision.

But could he conclude this matter coolly in his current state? Perhaps he should hand the handling over to company personnel or a proxy acting in his stead and take a break?

…Ironically, it was not the case.

Revenge could be slow, yes, but it was definite. Now that he had his haven waiting for him, his deliverance embracing his weary and ravaged soul…

Managing the extra hours of this task would be a breeze compared to before.

“…Gamma. There’s no need to specially give me the ledger. Just hand it over quickly to the adjudication team and return to your primary duties.”

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