In a deserted ruin somewhere in the Hyakkiyako Autonomous Region, an irritated, raspy voice echoed.
"Let me hear your excuse for failing, Street Mouryo. You assured me that you would definitely interrupt the festival today, didn't you…?"
Wearing a black kimono and a black eyepatch, the tabby cat radiated a mix of authority and malice. Date Meowru narrowed his eyes.
"I paid you a great deal of money. I didn't spend that just to hear something like 'we couldn't do it.'"
Although Date Meowru believed his eyepatch gave him an intimidating presence, most of the Mouryo girls gathered in the empty room looked completely unfazed.
"So where should we eat after work?"
"Let's walk around the festival grounds first. Decide after that."
"Hehe, then let's play some festival games too. Not to brag, but I was famous as a goldfish scooping pro when I was little!"
"Eh∼ that sounds so fun∼ I want to go too∼"
Date Meowru's ears twitched. Hearing the carefree chatter of the girls in the corner, who showed not an ounce of guilt over failing their mission, he felt his temper flare.
These brats… do they even understand why they were hired?! They were paid to disrupt the festival, yet here they were planning to go enjoy it?
So ruining the festival is work, but attending it is leisure, is that it?
He wanted to yell at those irresponsible fools, but he did not dare. He was their employer, yes, but if he pushed these troublemakers too far, he truly did not know who else he could hire to carry out his plan discreetly and without raising suspicion.
Fortunately, not all members of Mouryo were this hard headed.
Two girls, entrusted with responsibility not because they wanted it but because no one else did, were standing stiffly with anxious expressions. Their unease gave Date Meowru a faint sense of relief.
"Well… it's because…" The girl in the tengu mask hurried to explain. "We ran into an unexpected ambush."
The noh mask girl quickly added, "It was a teacher from Schale! He's the one who ruined everything!"
"A teacher from… Schale?"
Date Meowru muttered as he stroked his chin. His fur creased into a sharp mark between his brows as he scrutinized the Mouryo representatives.
To be honest, Date Meowru didn't think that person was anything special. It sounded more like they were making excuses after botching the job.
But right then, a lively voice chimed in nearby.
"That's right! It was Sensei, no… it was my master!"
Date Meowru froze. "…Even you, Ninja Izuna? What are you talking about?"
"You said it before." Izuna closed her eyes. "As long as Izuna faithfully carries out her missions, someday she'll become a cool ninja and meet the destined lord she'll pledge her life to!"
Date Meowru searched his memory, but no such line surfaced. "I… may have said something like that…"
Izuna opened her bright eyes, eager to share her excitement.
"Izuna may have finally met someone like that! Shishou is not only a legendary ninja, but even with a harsh attitude, Shishou's kindness always shows through. And most importantly, Shishou supports Izuna's dream!"
Date Meowru nodded dumbly. "Oh… and then?"
"But for some reason, Shishou was mixed in with those busybodies! Don't tell me… Shishou was hired too? That must be the fate of a ninja…"
Izuna lamented her cruel destiny, but soon her expression hardened with resolve.
"So Izuna will defeat Shishou, prove how far her training has come, and make Shishou acknowledge her and return to her side!"
"I don't think any of that really matters…"
So said Date Meowru, recalling the scene he personally witnessed earlier. That ordinary looking adult taking on a request from those annoying brats… and now hearing the matching accounts from both Mouryo and this ninja obsessed idiot before him made him feel unbearably irritated.
Mouryo might just be passing the blame, but even Izuna was saying the same thing. He couldn't ignore it.
Which meant that person would interfere with his plan. Date Meowru reached the conclusion immediately.
"If even Izuna the ninja says so, then that teacher must be a formidable opponent. A legendary ninja, huh? Sounds troublesome."
Date Meowru shook his head, thinking it was just another of Izuna's delusions. Then he looked at the Mouryo girls again, his expression stern.
"As for you all, I won't press the issue this time. But I expect you to earn the pay you receive. Understand?"
The tengu masked girl stiffened up and promised, "Next time we'll definitely stop the festival!"
The noh masked girl nodded repeatedly.
Good. That was how hired mercenaries were supposed to behave.
But just as Date Meowru felt satisfied with their response, more voices floated from the corner.
"Hehe, acting all high and mighty even though he's just some temporary employer."
"Yeah, whatever. He's just a cranky old man with no skills."
"Hey now, don't be too mean. We were still hired."
"Who cares? We've already done enough work for what we're being paid. And he still wants more."
"Ugh, this is annoying. I just want to clock out and go enjoy the festival."
Every word stung Date Meowru's ears, scratching at the calm he had just barely regained. His expression collapsed again, anger blazing hot—
Do they truly know nothing about respecting their elders?!
Even a dimwit like Izuna used polite speech and probably never bad mouthed him behind his back. And these girls were almost saying it straight to his face!
Date Meowru felt furious and powerless.
All he could do was add more funds. Yet even if he did, how long would these disrespectful delinquent children show him any courtesy?
Better to endure for now. Once his great plan succeeded, he would no longer need to stomach this humiliation.
He repeated the thought to calm himself. After several deep breaths, he managed to settle down, though indignation lingered.
Then he turned toward the small fox ninja, who had her head lowered and her brows tightly knit in thought.
His own brows twitched sharply, then he forced a concerned tone.
"Izuna the ninja? What's wrong?"
"…Izuna has suddenly realized something."
Izuna, who had earnestly memorized her master's teachings, had just noticed something she had never questioned before about her employer.
She lifted her head, tilting it as she stared at Date Meowru in confusion.
"It's strange. Why do you know so much about ninjas?"
In that instant, Date Meowru felt a chill shoot from the soles of his paws straight to the top of his skull. His fur stood on end.
Had she noticed? That he'd only ever been lying to her and using her?
"W… what? I'm not allowed to know?"
Date Meowru tried to sound calm.
"I remember… you're supposed to be a merchant… so why do you know so much about ninjas? And why did you give Izuna that advice?"
Izuna thought of her master's handsome face, gentle voice, scent, and words. Then something clicked.
"No! Izuna understands now. You're lying to me!"
…This child must not be allowed to remain.
What a waste of good combat potential.
Date Meowru sighed inwardly while signaling to Mouryo. At the same time, he pretended to look confused.
"What are you saying? Why would I lie to you? This must be a misunderstanding!"
From the corner of his eye he saw Mouryo girls quietly moving behind Izuna. Someone even picked up a gun and flipped the safety off.
And Izuna noticed none of it.
"You can't fool Izuna! Stop pretending and confess!"
Having already been tricked several times, Izuna was unwavering.
She pointed at Date Meowru with severe conviction.
Behind her, several Mouryo delinquents had silently surrounded her escape routes, ready to strike.
The sniper in the corner already had her finger on the trigger.
Date Meowru took a deep breath. He fixed his one visible eye on Izuna. As soon as she finished talking, when her guard was lowest, he would order them to capture and detain her immediately.
Finally, in this silent room where even a pin drop would echo, Izuna's voice rang out loud and clear.
"You're actually a ninja too!"
The air itself froze.
Date Meowru blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Hehehe∼ I told you, you can't fool Izuna∼"
She placed her hands on her hips triumphantly.
"Shishou told Izuna that in an age where ninjas all live in hiding, anyone can be one, no matter what job they have. As long as they understand the ninja way, they might be a secret ninja!"
Izuna, having scrambled her master's teachings through her own imagination, declared excitedly,
"So since you're the one who taught Izuna about ninja duty, your true identity must also be a legendary ninja!"
What nonsense was she spewing? How could he possibly be something as foolish as a ninja?
Just as Date Meowru was about to deny it, a short laugh cut through the air.
"Tch… like that guy could ever be a ninja."
For a moment, Date Meowru heard a snap.
It was the sound of his self control breaking.
Anger burned, but along with it spread something else, something fast and unfamiliar. A possibility he had never considered.
A path that might finally earn him respect from Street Mouryo.
"…You," Date Meowru raised his head, eyes bloodshot and voice strained, "actually saw through my true identity."
After a brief silence, his confession rippled across the room like a pebble thrown into water.
Voices erupted at once in shock and excitement.
"Yay∼ Izuna knew it∼"
Izuna threw her hands up in delight.
Date Meowru alone stood trembling in silence.
'What did I just say?!'
Realizing he had admitted to a completely fabricated identity out of anger and desperation, shame flooded him. Curious gazes pinned him in place. He wanted to flee the scene.
…But what choice did he have now?
He had to lean into it.
His thoughts raced, and in that moment of crisis, he found a single escape route with astonishing speed.
He could just blame it all on Izuna later. Say he only played along to humor her. Then he wouldn't face social ruin.
Yes. That would work.
Date Meowru felt relief wash over him.
He cleared his throat. The room fell silent immediately.
Everyone watched him with expectation. And beneath his humiliation… he felt a strange joy.
Being a ninja… might not be so bad?
Date Meowru looked around, closed his eyes, and breathed in air that felt strangely fresh.
Then he opened them, firm and resolute.
"In truth… I am a ninja."