4-68: Clean Up

4-68: Clean Up

At the cold touch that enveloped his whole body, the man gradually awoke.

The first thing he saw was a man in a black suit holding an empty bucket.

When the man realized where he was, he felt like passing out again.

It was an undecorated room made out of undressed concrete with reddish-black stains on the walls and an unpleasant smell that could seep in.

He knew exactly who owned this room and what it was for, as well as the reason why he had been left on the ground, and who the men surrounding him were.

What he couldnt understand was why. Even if had been left there after his memory cut off, why did these men come there and bring him here?

But while he couldnt understand that, one thing was clear these men had already labeled him guilty.

Not a single of those gazes that looked down him were fond. Every one of them was cold, and they chills down his spine.

Why didnt they just kill him in his sleep? He complained internally, but then an even more terrifying person appeared.

I see youre finally awake, Aojima.

He shuddered at the sight of the intimidating man.

A stern-looking burly man with dyed blond hair and scars on his face. He was puffing on a cigarette.

This was the person Aojima wanted to meet the least.

For being caught by him meant that his life was basically over.

K-Kondo aniki!

They did not differ that much in age, but the number of trials theyve been through were different, so there was a world of difference between them.

There were two kinds of people in this industry: those whose names youll hear no matter what, and everyone else.

The intimidating man was so comfortable in his expensive suit that it did not appear obnoxious on him and instead heightened the intimidating aura he exuded.

Aojima shrank back.

Oh, so you can still call me aniki? Werent you planning on usurping me?

S-Surely not

The man shook his head, but it would be a lie to say that he held no ambitions.

He was of the same generation as the man before him, but his standing was completely different, so he felt inferior and was envious.

He wanted to form a connection with Garesto by seizing the weakness of Garesto Academys students, then use that to get rid of the man before him, but it was a foolish plan from the start.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

He had especially taken lightly how scary the man called Kondo could be when serious.

Its unbelievable how stupid you are, really You cant even keep your own word. In that regard, youre worse than brats.

Gaha!?

Kondo looked down at him coldly and drove his feet into his stomach.

Aojima felt like the air was being forced out of his lungs.

It felt like he was about to pass out, but another man in suit grabbed him and forced him to look toward Kondo.

Eek!

The expression that had been calm until now was now demonic.

Despite that Kondos gaze remained cold as he laid bare his killing intent right from up close, and Aojima found himself screaming.

Ah, s-stop it, t-this isnt right!

I told you before, didnt I? That Im grateful to that inn. Thats why I told you that no matter what happened, you are not to lay a hand on it, right? Kondo said.

But he didnt pay attention to any of those. Already, none of those people would walk in the light again.

Hmph.

As though he no longer had any business here, he walked.

He took out a new cigarette from his pocket and lit it, then filled his lungs with its smoke.

His subordinates would light it for him whenever they were around, but when he was alone, he at least wanted to do it himself.

Fu Onii-san, sorry about that. I got my hand bit and caused trouble for Kouta and Haruka-san.

It was rare for him to be alone, so he took this opportunity to say this apology that he would never say in front of his subordinates.

He shook his head with a bitter expression.

When he went outside, his subordinates that were waiting ran up to him to give their report.

No one else was mobilized, but there are strange movements in the next town.

We caught a few of their executives trying to leave the country with a lot of money.

The quack that provided the pills talked. He says he was threatened, but he was paid quite handsomely. Were tightening things up now.

The connection to this case remains unclear, but it appears that theres been a political disturbance in the Katsuragi family and the company working with them. Theyve been meddling in our business for awhile now, but now all sorts of trouble are occurring in their area.

We got word just now that the children have made it back. Weve also captured the people lurking inside waiting for their shift.

Well make them spill everything. Well also have the young ones keep an eye on the inn for a while just to make sure there wont be any more problems.

Okay, Ill leave it in your hands Tch, what did that brat do?

Kondo nodded, but he was actually sullen deep inside. The commotion the boy caused was much bigger than hed imagined.

He knew the boy was related because of the words he left before leaving.

Normally, youd owe us two, but were partly responsible, so lets just say you owe us one.

He could understand what he meant by that, but he wasnt sure which of the two those two were related to. Regardless, it was off putting that he owed something to that thing.

That boy and girl hadnt shown them their real face.

The girl had an air of mystery about her, the kind he would often see in this line of work, but the faceless boy gave off a bloody presence that transcended that.

People like Kondo were sensitive to their own kind, those that have stained their hands with blood.

He wasnt inexperienced, but the smell the boy gave off was just too thick.

He might as well have been someone from a completely different era.

I dont know if its lucky or unlucky.

That something like that noticed and interfered.

While it was a good thing that they managed to avoid the worst case scenario, being involved with that thing was not something to be happy about.

Though he couldnt see the boys real face, his eyes spoke loud and clear, you messed up.

What a frightening boy to have grasped so much in so short a period of time.

It was truly too little too late, but he couldnt help but keep ponder the pros and cons of entrusting Kouta to him.

Is something the matter?

Either way, he didnt have the right to say anything. His subordinates were puzzled by his actions, but he just shook his head.

He convinced himself that societally-speaking people like him werent something that could be compared to a student. He had to force himself to believe that.

Enough Im going. Be sure to send the reports to me. And make sure those guys understand what it means to go against us!

When his subordinates quietly nodded, he swiftly vanished into the night.