8:00 AM.
"So, that's how things stand..."
Kotoko Iwanaga sat on the sofa, nibbling on a Kobe beef sandwich made by Kisara while glancing at Luo Shu seated in the armchair:
"I've settled things with those Phenex Society lunatics, plus Greed and Jealousy from the Hell Sect. The operation's set for tonight at 12, right when Akihabara's winding down."
She took another bite of her sandwich, chewing thoughtfully as she muttered:
"Honestly, what's wrong with Japan's authorities? Even with your intel, they only caught Ryan? They missed both Gokuro Seto and Li Jianlin, who came over this time..."
"Their efficiency is just terrible."
Accustomed to yokai's straightforward, efficient thinking from operating between human and supernatural worlds, Kotoko found readjusting to human society slightly jarring.
Hearing this, Luo Shu defended the authorities:
"In the high-ranking list I provided, only Ryan and some mid-level operatives were local. Someone like Gokuro Seto lives beneath Tokyo Bay—with home advantage, avoiding him to prevent tipping them off makes sense."
"And Li Jianlin's even trickier. He's got Chinese credentials—Japan can't just move against him freely."
"Ryan was American, though," Kotoko couldn't help muttering.
Luo Shu remained unperturbed: "Hence why the stationed troops will receive generous red packets in a few days."
"Ugh..." Kotoko immediately grasped his meaning, pulling a face. "So they got bribed?"
Luo Shu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his head to glance at Kotoko Iwanaga before saying:
"You don't seem the least bit surprised that I've taken control of the Phenex Society's leader?"
When he'd contacted Kotoko Iwanaga yesterday to have her represent Ravel in gathering the Phenex Society's executives and the Hell Sect to discuss the summoning plan, the girl had agreed without hesitation.
This had left Luo Shu somewhat puzzled.
I've literally beheaded the enemy leader, and you're not even slightly shocked?
"Oh? Is Director Luo Shu fishing for compliments now?"
Kotoko Iwanaga's eyes curved into feline slits as she smirked at him:
"You should've said so earlier~ You should've said so~ I'm not the type of mean girl who'd crush a guy's ego~ But if you want praise, you've got to ask properly~"
Seeing her smug expression, Luo Shu's face twitched uncontrollably.
Who the hell needs your praise?
As Luo Shu's expression darkened, Kotoko Iwanaga took a bite of her sandwich and mused:
"Though I must admit, it is somewhat surprising that the leader got captured by you, even agreeing to let me impersonate her."
"But then again, considering you're a Top Tier Class practitioner verging on Demigod status with the SDS's intelligence network at your disposal, finding and dealing with the leader doesn't seem particularly difficult?"
"Of course, 'not difficult' is relative. What's strange is you previously asked me to create an opportunity for the leader to be isolated, yet solved everything yourself within a day..."
At this point, Kotoko Iwanaga eyed Luo Shu suspiciously:
"Director Luo Shu, you're not the type who pretends to collaborate while actually hogging all the glory, are you?"
Luo Shu remained silent for a moment before chuckling lightly:
"Caught red-handed, I see."
"Now that you know Ravel is in my grasp, shouldn't you surrender obediently?"
"After all, the very lifeline of your promotion is clenched tightly in my fist~"
"Incidentally, I'm quite curious - how does it feel to have your vital point controlled? Any special sensations?"
Kotoko Iwanaga blinked at this before bursting into laughter:
"Seriously~"
"My lifeline in your hands? Stop joking around with such a straight face~"
Dismissing it as banter, she waved her hand carelessly:
"Even without Ravel, the Hell Sect would still summon the Flame Demon~"
"At worst, they'll need to source their own sacrificial offerings, but given the Three-Eyed Goddess's methods, it's just a matter of time."
"And if we're talking about controlled lifelines, shouldn't that be the Hell Sect's doing?"
"Remember, they're the ones holding the Spirit Medium in their... why are you making that face?"
Mid-sentence, Kotoko Iwanaga suddenly noticed Luo Shu's smile.
That amused glint in his eyes, that delighted grin - it sent uncomfortable shivers down her spine.
Could it be...
"You have people in the Hell Sect, too?" Her expression grew visibly strained.
Luo Shu gave her a reproachful look:
"What nonsense are you thinking? That's impossible."
Yet his denial only made Kotoko Iwanaga's scalp tingle worse:
"So it's true then!"
Luo Shu gave Kotoko Iwanaga a strange look upon hearing this: "...Wasn't I just expressing opposition?"
Kotoko Iwanaga said matter-of-factly: "When officials oppose something, doesn't that mean we should take it seriously?"
"But speaking of which, who exactly is the spy you arranged?"
Luo Shu slightly parted his lips, but before he could refute, Kotoko Iwanaga had already reacted:
"You said you've grasped my vital point. Vital point? The Spirit Medium? You have the Spirit Medium under your control?"
"In that case, is Greed, who brought the Spirit Medium, your person?"
Luo Shu regarded Kotoko Iwanaga with a subtle expression, studied her for a moment, then said playfully:
"You're quite good at guessing, aren't you?"
"Tsk..." Kotoko Iwanaga drew a sharp breath: "So she really is yours..."
'This is bad. My vital point really has been grasped...'
Kotoko Iwanaga stared stiffly at Luo Shu, her tone strained as she said:
"To deal with the Phenex Society and Hell Sect by sacrificing an innocent Spirit Medium girl - that doesn't align with the SDS's principles, does it?"
"Wouldn't Director Luo Shu face punishment from the Supreme Chairwoman for such actions?"
Luo Shu simply looked at Kotoko Iwanaga with disdain:
"What the Hell Sect does has nothing to do with my Hidden Management Department."
"..."
Seeing Luo Shu acting shamelessly, Kotoko could only sigh in resignation:
"Honestly, how can you pull such tricks..."
Kotoko understood perfectly well. For semi-official figures like herself, being an inside informant was already the limit. Taking charge of an evil organisation's operations would be far too risky.
After all, as the yokai princess walking the line between humans and yokai, she couldn't abandon this position; otherwise, there'd be no more middle ground.
In Kotoko's view, Luo Shu's situation was much like hers.
If the Director of the Hidden Management Department was secretly controlling illegal mystic side organisations to cause major incidents in Akihabara, the Five Great Powers would likely demand that Lacus conduct internal purges immediately.
Thus, neither she nor Luo Shu could afford to be implicated in this matter - they had to maintain clean appearances. Even that Supreme Chairwoman had to operate this way when pursuing certain... unmentionable objectives.
Come to think of it, Greed might well be Luo Shu's - or even the SDS's - hidden glove in the shadows.
Perhaps she was originally Lacus Clyne's planted agent within the Hell Sect, merely being utilised by Luo Shu now...
Kotoko silently grumbled to herself before glancing up at Luo Shu, only to find him already standing by the window, gazing at Akihabara's still-quiet morning streets:
"Not many people around at this hour, right? Most shops here don't open until after 9:30..."
Luo Shu kept watching the streets as he replied indifferently:
"Let's hope it stays this deserted tonight..."
"Uh..." Kotoko had no response to that.
Just then, Luo Shu turned to her and asked:
"Miss Iwanaga, have you considered joining the Hidden Management Department?"
Before she could refuse, he smiled and clarified:
"Not the SDS - joining secretly, without anyone knowing, the Hidden Management Department I've established."
Kotoko's eyes widened in shock before she regarded Luo Shu suspiciously.
Smiling, Luo Shu said, "No need for that look. Lacus is fully aware of this matter."
A look of comprehension flashed across Kotoko's face - though what exactly she'd understood remained unclear:
"Well, this is quite the proposition... I'll need proper time to consider it. Best if I give my answer after this current business concludes."
"After all, if I get promoted from this, I'll have better bargaining power, won't I?"
Seeing Kotoko's deliberately obtuse smile, Luo Shu simply gave her a meaningful look before saying:
"Then I'll await your good news, Miss Iwanaga~"