Chapter 272

The first to rush into the room was, as expected, a group from the Enema detection team, including a tracker boasting extraordinarily sharp senses far surpassing that of ordinary people.

I don’t know how they will detect potential threats like bombs or harmful substances in a broadcasting station filled with metal clusters and electronic devices everywhere. However, their determination to somehow ensure the safety of the executives was… more familiar than I thought. Hmm.

It’s just that they usually act on their own whims, and in general, their ‘superior’ tends to be a department that often exercises extreme measures across all operations.

…Everyone is still working hard, I see.

“…Hoo.”

Meanwhile, the soldiers checked their surroundings, and the general office secretaries rushed to nearby staff as soon as they entered to confirm something while preparing paperwork for busy procedures.

The inspection director of Enema Corporation and the last heir of the Amagi clan, who undoubtedly took on the role of ‘male model’ today, entered the studio, tossing back his uniquely deep violet-tinged hair.

The monopolistic healthcare system of the mega-corporation in the medical field isn’t likely to be that lax.

How long has it been since we parted at that party? I could see Show, looking somewhat lacking in vitality and with a dull expression, far away.

“Wow~ Thank you so much for coming so readily, Director Edamatsu! An ad featuring a director from MegaCorp… It’s almost been two years, maybe three, since we’ve aired something like this on a broadcasting scale! It’s certainly going to be an immense experience for the employees, and the attention will not be negligible.”

“No, thank you. I appreciate you setting this up. It just so happens… I was hoping for an opportunity like this. However…”

How can such a hefty body come with such incredible speed and agility?

In stark contrast to the news director, who rushed over to shake hands, Show maintained his emotionless demeanor and icy aura but stood with a rare sociable posture, lightly tapping each other’s arms while holding onto the hand they shook.

Being right in the heart of the broadcasting station, it might be politically unavoidable for the executives to uphold the news director’s reputation.

“…The original data of the footage you shot must be handed over to us without fail, no matter what happens. Director Morgan.”

“Hmm…! You don’t need to worry at all. If necessary, you may even request Director Danny over there for a custom version tailored to your taste. …As a married man, I would suggest asking for your partner’s permission first.”

…I feel a bit uneasy.

Are they murmuring some ominous conspiracy? I know better than to give undue attention to collusion among the powerful, but whatever those two are discussing must certainly be very important.

When I get home later and check if I can find the video saved in the Droid DB, it might not be a bad idea to see if there’s a voice log of that whispered conversation.

– …In addition to the malicious code, I will also expedite the installation of a backdoor to bypass the external access block functions present on the studio server. –

“Oh, what? Was it just a simple discussion related to filming? That’s a relief.”

Since it was rare for Zero to proactively respond first, I nodded as a sign to let him handle it instead of prying too deeply into the details.

It’s strange; considering he’s originally an AI from the Enema laboratory, he seems to become even more cautious whenever high-ranking officials are involved.

Perhaps working in an environment without ethical guidelines led him to instinctively distrust decision-makers and ultimate authorities.

Well, anyway, I saw one positive possibility in this.

What is it, you ask? It’s simpler than I thought. Assuming that the busy director came here solely because of me could be a bit of an overestimation of my self-importance.

No, I mean, look at it properly.

Since they’re having a close conversation right after coming in, it’s possible that Director Morgan has a personal or corporate reason to collaborate with Memorial Times in addition to this.

Erin’s theory—“You work yourself to death because it’s work! Why nitpick over details?”—is certainly an immutable truth that Show cannot escape from as long as he belongs to the company…

“…Anastasia!”

“Yeah.”

Oh, damn, if I had just stayed quiet, I might have at least remained neutral, but why did I excitedly start talking about optimistic predictions that would shatter in five seconds?

It seems that once you rise to a position where what interests you becomes the schedule, those other matters don’t exist anymore. I’ll keep that in mind. Yes.

First of all, I need to cancel all those hasty evaluations that I made about him looking unwell. He seems to be brimming with vitality.

Like a sleeping bud blooming, the woman who appeared at the gathering lifted the veil that had concealed her beauty.

As she suddenly approached with a bright smile in an atmosphere that had felt gloomy and dreary, some staff members in the outfield exclaimed with primal admiration such as, “Oh my!” or “Kyaa!”

It’s not that I could criticize them for overreacting; even for someone who originally dislikes parasites or leeches, when she brightens her expression, her appearance alone cannot make a bad first impression, regardless of taste.

Anyway, since Enema tends to have a somewhat antagonistic inclination towards players, there seems to be a reasoning similar to, “In the case of Heylong—uniform—female characters were included to balance user preferences!” Looking at it, the Amagi family’s lineage must just be inherently blessed.

Like the royal bloodlines in some European royalty, perhaps they have a mystical lineage of good-looking individuals? Moreover, being of immigrant descent from America creates a harmony of East and West. I envy those people.

“Really. Do you know how surprised I was when you suddenly disappeared back then without any warning? I thought something bad must have happened, and I dispatched at least ten search parties before that guy from Paradise came looking for you.”

“No, I truly feel bad about what happened to many people… Wait, Show, you should at least…! This is too inappropriate!!”

Anyway, as he cheerfully approached me, he tried to mess with my hair without permission, so I raised my hand to swat it away.

But, of course, he simply smiled and grabbed my outstretched hand, trying to intervene again, and since there was really no need to act like we were at a party, I quickly kept his arm at bay!

After a while of bickering and finally calming down, I became anxious about how the surrounding people might interpret this excessively familiar scene.

Fortunately, though I did feel a bit regretful about my desertion—resignation—there didn’t seem to be any deep grudge, which relieved me. There was no need to still have this habit of closing the distance all the time, tsk.

Director Morgan in the audience observed us with great interest, and director Douglas, gradually grasping the situation, seemed to feel the signs of a big hit, as he maintained a broad smile despite being busy.

The bodyguards, each with their assigned duties, remained in their designated spots, maintaining silence. However, there was one who slipped in behind me, kept a little distance from Zero, and bowed in greeting.

…While there’s some lack of concrete evidence, isn’t this clearly Masanari?

Honestly, I wasn’t that close to Director Morgan to consider feelings like betrayal. I only resolved to repay any debts if I got the opportunity later; there was no significant resentment when it came to witnessing the aftermath of a mess he lit up while trying to enjoy the show.

But you. You, of all people, I’ve been buying you meals every day!

Don’t act suspiciously in a pitiful manner; we’ve built a respectful relationship by letting each other know in advance of any outings!

You can’t just do that and expect a simple greeting and courtesy to be all there is, right?

Upon careful inspection, while I could say that reporting everything was his job, there’s a massive difference between merely noting that “the target has gone out” and reporting that “the target intends to go somewhere at a certain time, so you can coordinate with them.”

Being often called a personal consultant, I somewhat understand how information circulates concerning Show’s interests.

That damn woman, such a stingy special agent…!

“…Anyway, so. I can’t imagine you’ve really come out here just to shoot an ad. You’re not thinking of returning to Enema now, so if you’ve come to convince me, it’s a waste of time. You must have plenty of other things to do, so don’t exert yourself.”

“You don’t need to worry. This is really… something I’m doing because I enjoy it.”

In as soft a voice as possible to prevent unnecessary information from leaking to others.

I thought I could at least toss a refusal to see if he would push forward, but instead, he reacted with a broad smile at the very point where he got closer in physical distance and said not to exert himself.

No, this is maddening. I wasn’t genuinely concerned; it was simply a polite way to decline!

Do you think I would advise someone of your status, an executive, about whether a freelancer like me earns reasonably for the effort you put in? Huh??

If you’re so happy when chiding me, then what does that make me? Seriously, why do only the perverts beyond common sense gather around me?

“…I somehow feel that, due to Ahsa’s ‘sponsor’, we can’t meet openly, and I feel like I pressed you too hard for responses. I’ve been reflecting on that. But meeting like this occasionally to spend time together might change the answer you’ve been postponing, right? More than anything…”

Having said that, Show slowly closed his eyes and opened them again.

He directed a gaze that seemed to shimmer with something sinister, without a thought to hide it, and murmured while intently gazing over here.

“It’s undeniably important to leave a solid recorded visual record. In the process, I’d also like to satisfy a bit of my own desires.”

“…I feel dizzy.”

Like claiming that the ditch is filled bit by bit from the outside, seeing him speak those scary words so calmly made me quietly signal Zero to secure an escape route.

Umm… No matter how I think about it, I feel like it was a mistake to not take a break from filming. Is it okay to leave since I didn’t really sign anything at all?

……What? The Enema practical staff has already completed all the paperwork and left? What kind of nonsense is that?

What happens if a company uses the identity of a resigning employee without permission, and the broadcasting station openly accepts that? Are you crazy!?

Do you have the conscience to boldly promote yourself as “Neo Haven No.1 verified news broadcaster, Memorial Times,” after doing this? Is high viewership all that matters!?