Chapter 89: Cooking Assassin Dumpling (Yui), Haruno's "Conditions"
After saying this long string of words, Rio adjusted her breathing and finally added a sentence.
"Of course, I'm only responsible for analyzing the situation. As for whether to recruit new members and who to recruit, that's for you to decide. I won't participate."
"Mmhmm, noted."
Yoru nodded noncommittally.
Rio's analysis was correct.
With Yukino's family background, if she was willing to use her family's connections, she could indeed become an intelligence channel for the Super-Quant Club outside Kyoto.
The problem was.
Let alone whether Yukino would join the Super-Quant Club.
Even if she joined, with her personality, she would absolutely not use her family's money and connections for club activities.
After all, those things were the "Fake" (imitation) that Yukino detested the most. (Note: Oregairu reference).
This didn't really matter.
He had already established a mutually beneficial relationship with Haruno. Possessing the identity of the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, plus the airship promotion incident that shocked Sakura Prefecture, it could be seen that Haruno had a lot of say within the Yukinoshita Company, almost comparable to her and Yukino's mother.
Having such a collaborator was enough.
Thinking of this, Yoru looked at Rio and asked a question she didn't expect.
"Do you think Yukinoshita Yukino might awaken Soul Manifestation and become a spirit medium?"
"I don't know."
Rio didn't hide anything, just shook her head.
"I don't know her and haven't had contact with her. I can't determine if she meets the conditions for awakening Soul Manifestation, or if there is such strong power in her heart that cognition can change reality."
"Also, analyzing psychology and sensibility isn't my forte."
"However..."
Rio pushed her glasses and changed the subject.
"Senpai Sakurajima Mai should possess such aptitude because the power of 'Cognition' in her heart has already affected reality."
Yoru felt Rio's conclusion was highly likely to be correct.
Soul Manifestation was based on the power of one's own soul and heart.
In Rio's Quantum Mechanics terms, it was "Cognition."
Coincidentally.
The principle of Adolescence Syndrome was also "Cognition" affecting reality.
Then people who had suffered from Adolescence Syndrome might be equated with people who had the aptitude to awaken Soul Manifestation ability.
This pointed out a way for Yoru to quickly find suitable candidates and make them collaborators.
Here came the problem.
Besides Rio in front of him and Mai, who else had suffered from Adolescence Syndrome?
Azusagawa Sakuta and his sister Azusagawa Kaede.
But Yoru didn't see Sakuta's name on the list of first-year students at Sobu High.
Besides them...
There was the frail girl Makinohara Shoko suffering from congenital heart disease, Koga Tomoe who would be a first-year high school student when Mai was a third-year, and Mai's sister, Toyohama Nodoka, a member of the Sweet Bullet idol group.
Seemingly three choices.
Actually, there was only one Yoru had a legitimate reason to contact.
He was a first-year student at Sobu High, and Mai was a famous beautiful second-year senpai. It wasn't strange for them to know each other.
Then knowing her sister, the active idol Toyohama Nodoka, through Mai was very reasonable.
But rashly contacting Makinohara Shoko, who was still in third or fourth grade of elementary school and frequented hospital wards, or Koga Tomoe, who was still in junior high in some remote countryside, would indeed be too purposeful.
Even if the parties involved didn't suspect anything, what about the police?
Caution, still need caution.
Yoru wasn't sure if the Famous Detective L existed in this world, but since he wasn't sure, he would assume he existed.
"Yoru, Little Rio, come eat~"
Hearing Yui's call, Rio responded and suddenly seemed to remember something, whispering to Yoru.
"Sorry, you just finished an operation and should be very tired. I shouldn't discuss these things with you at this time. After eating, rest for a while. After all, spring break is still long."
"It's okay, I'm not tired at all."
Yoru waved his hand with a smile.
Watching his back as he walked out of the room, Rio suddenly felt inexplicably sad.
The bizarre events affecting the entire city, the Otherworld full of evil spirits.
Facing such an increasingly twisted world, could just the few of them really persevere?
Even with Yui and Miko accompanying her now, Rio would still have such hesitant thoughts at times.
She couldn't imagine at all.
How Yoru persevered alone when he first awakened his ability and fought against evil spirits and "Doors."
Perhaps this was one of the reasons why she, Yui, and Miko gathered around him and joined the Super-Quant Club.
After walking out of the living room, Rio smelled an inexplicably weird smell.
She looked towards the dining table, staring at the bowl of miso soup that looked completely normal on the outside, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart.
"Little Rio, sit down quickly."
Yui had a sweet smile on her face, pulling Rio's hand, leading her to sit at the table, and pointing to the soup bowl in front of her.
"I stewed this bowl of miso soup for nearly an hour. The taste should be very good. Try it quickly."
Rio narrowed her eyes slightly, noticing Yoru sitting opposite her with a gloating look in his eyes.
She frowned, thinking that judging from the appearance, this bowl of miso soup shouldn't be bad, even if not delicious.
Besides.
Miso soup was so simple, just putting various ingredients in and boiling on low heat for a while. Normal people couldn't possibly make it taste bad.
Thinking of this, under Yui's expectant gaze, Rio extended her right hand to pick up the spoon, scooped a spoonful of miso soup, parted her pink lips slightly, and put the miso soup into her mouth.
"How does it taste?"
Yui looked confident.
"I feel this is my masterpiece!"
Rio didn't hear Yui's words.
Or rather.
The moment this spoonful of miso soup entered her mouth, she couldn't hear anything.
The steam from the bowl fogged up her glasses.
Two lines of clear tears flowed involuntarily from the corners of Rio's eyes.
This...
What on earth is this thing!!!
Just a simple sip, but Rio could feel many flavors exploding directly in her mouth.
Yes, only the powerful word "exploding" could describe her feeling right now.
Why?
Why are there tastes of star anise, coptis chinensis (bitter herb), pickled vegetables, fish mint, and chili—so many ingredients in miso soup?
The taste of this miso soup could no longer be described simply as bad.
A small soup bowl actually contained such complex, weird tastes that made one's life flash before their eyes.
How on earth did Yui Yuigahama make this thing!!!
This wasn't even the main point.
The main point was that containing such terrifying tastes inside, it looked completely normal on the outside, just like ordinary miso soup.
What kind of skill is this?
"How is it, Little Rio? Delicious?"
Looking at Yui who had absolutely no self-awareness of her cooking taste, Rio looked up, took off her glasses, looked straight into Yui's eyes, and said earnestly.
"Yui, you might become an assassin in the future."
"Assassin?"
"Yes..."
Rio's gaze was burning, gritting her silver teeth.
"Cooking Assassin."
...
8:00 PM that night, top floor of a hotel in Kyoto, inside the rooftop bar.
"Sir, please come in."
Although Yoru was only wearing ordinary casual clothes, the receptionist at the door didn't look down on him at all, maintaining a polite and decent smile.
After all, this was a five-star hotel.
Yoru nodded slightly, walked into the bar, and sat in front of the counter.
Today was Tuesday. There weren't many guests in this rooftop bar, only about two or three tables.
Sitting at the bar, one could see the colorful lights of Kyoto at night through a row of floor-to-ceiling windows.
This was the first time Yoru had seen such a scene.
Usually at this time, he wouldn't wander leisurely in bustling areas but wander in those uninhabited, remote, and dark corners of Kyoto, having his own feast.
Speaking of which...
Haven't been to the Otherworld for a big meal in a while.
"Good evening, what would you like to dri..."
A girl with smooth long hair wearing a bartender uniform stood inside the bar counter. She turned around, stopped halfway through her sentence, and froze.
"Uh..."
Seeing the guest sitting there was actually Yoru, Kawasaki Saki was stunned.
"Soda water, thanks."
Yoru's gaze didn't linger on Kawasaki Saki's face for a moment, as if he didn't know her at all, and said with a smile.
"Oh... okay."
Kawasaki Saki came back to her senses and responded. Turning around, while pouring soda water into the glass, her eyes showed conflict as she thought to herself.
Bad, bad, what should I do?
If it were a normal part-time job and I bumped into a classmate from the same class, it would be fine.
But she never expected to meet someone who knew her in the rooftop bar of this five-star hotel.
Kawasaki Saki didn't care about her classmates' opinions of her.
But if the news of her working in a bar spread to others' ears, although she was just a bartender, who knew what it would turn into in the end?
After all, a first-year high school girl working in a bar was a fresh topic worth discussing for those bored students.
Plus, Kawasaki Saki's reputation in school wasn't very good initially; she was considered a delinquent girl.
If the school authorities found out about this...
Would I be expelled?
When Kawasaki Saki turned around, her expression had returned to her usual indifferent look.
She placed a glass of soda water with ice lightly in front of Yoru and said flatly.
"That will be 160 yen." (Wait, 160 yen for soda water in a 5-star hotel bar? Likely meant 1600 yen or RMB equivalent contextually high price, but literal translation kept. Usually hotel bars charge much more, let's assume it's expensive for soda).
Yoru frowned, thinking this bastard (BYD), 160 just for a glass of soda water with ice?
But he could understand.
This high price of 160 wasn't just for the soda water.
It also included the price of overlooking the night view of Kyoto from this rooftop bar.
So expensive.
Yoru took out money from his wallet and handed it to Kawasaki Saki.
The latter took it and put it into the register, then started wiping glasses and wine bottles on her own without saying another word.
At this time.
"Good evening."
Yukinoshita Haruno nodded to the receptionist at the door, walked into the bar, scanned around, saw Yoru sitting at the bar counter, a smile appearing on her lips, and walked over quickly.
She first put her small bag on the counter surface, then rested her chin on one hand, examining Yoru's profile and the glass of soda water in front of him, smiling.
"Such good scenery, such a good place, isn't it a pity to only drink water?"
"I'm underage."
Hearing Yoru's sentence, Haruno shook her head with a dumbfounded smile.
"Really can't tell you are a rule-abiding person."
Immediately after, her slender white index finger tapped lightly on the bar surface. She smiled at Kawasaki Saki standing inside.
"One Whiskey, one Brandy, neither with ice, thank you."
Hearing Haruno's request, Kawasaki Saki frowned.
She was in the same class as Yoru, so she naturally knew he hadn't reached the legal drinking age.
At this time, she should ask for ID.
But words came to her lips, and Kawasaki Saki changed her mind. She poured two glasses of alcohol silently and placed them lightly in front of Haruno.
"Thanks."
Kawasaki Saki nodded and didn't state the price of the two drinks directly like she did with Yoru.
Yoru understood immediately.
What does this mean?
Looking down on people?
Thinking I can't afford it, so you collect money for each drink immediately?
Just you wait.
I will absolutely not let this matter of 160 yen go today!
Haruno pushed the glass of Whiskey to Yoru, raised the glass in her hand, moved the rim forward, and smiled.
"Cheers."
"Okay."
What Haruno didn't expect was that Yoru, who came to a bar but only ordered soda water, didn't hesitate at this moment. He raised his glass, clinked it lightly with hers in the air, then downed the Whiskey in one go.
"Ah this..."
Haruno was dumbfounded.
The "Cheers" (Kanpai - Dry Cup) she said was just a polite word.
Isn't it usually just taking a small sip after clinking glasses?
You really drank it all in one breath?
Haruno gritted her teeth, thinking she was asking for a favor from him today after all.
Whether out of social etiquette, for the upcoming negotiation, or the inexplicable competitiveness ignited deep in her heart not to lose to a high school student in drinking capacity, there was only one choice.
Haruno downed the Tequila (Wait, she ordered Brandy earlier, text says Tequila here, assuming alcohol type switch/error in source, keeping consistent with drinking action) in her glass in one breath, put down the glass with a slight frown, and said to Kawasaki Saki inside the bar.
"Same drinks, keep them coming."
"Okay."
After Kawasaki Saki refilled the two glasses, Haruno, with a slight flush of drunkenness on her face, smiled and whispered.
"I have something to ask for your help this time."
"Speak freely."
"Have you heard of... Kengan Fighters (Dougisha)?"
"Know a thing or two."
"Eh? You actually heard of them?"
Haruno seemed a bit surprised, but on second thought, since the other party was an exorcist with special abilities, hearing about fighters from some channel wasn't strange.
"Since you heard of them, I'll be straight."
Haruno put away her smile and spoke slowly.
"I hope you can fight a Kengan match on behalf of our Yukinoshita Construction Company."
Yoru's expression didn't change, just said noncommittally.
"I am not a fighter."
"Representing the Yukinoshita Company to fight makes you one."
"Opponent?"
"Kyoto City Bank."
"Reward?"
"Mother and the company's consideration is 10 million."
Speaking of this, Haruno paused, then smiled.
"But I don't want to hide it from you, so I'll say it straight."
"30 million, this is the highest price I can persuade the board of directors and Mother to agree to."
Immediately after, Haruno changed the subject, a serious look on her pretty face.
"However, I have a condition."
Yoru disapproved.
"I must guarantee a win?"
"No."
Unexpectedly, Haruno shook her head, pursed her lips, her eyes complex.
"You must guarantee that you have the strength to crush the opponent and won't suffer overly serious injuries causing lifelong disability or even death in the battle."
"Otherwise, I'd rather find someone else and watch the Yukinoshita Construction Company lose."
Yoru smiled and said nonchalantly.
"As long as I win, isn't it fine? As for whether I will be disabled, considering this point... being so indecisive isn't like your style."
"I also feel it isn't like my style."
Haruno picked up the wine glass and swirled it, watching the dark red liquid sway in the glass. She sighed slightly, that smile appearing on her face again—seemingly sincere but with eyes as calm as lake water.
"However, doing things unlike myself occasionally is quite interesting."
"Is that so..."
Yoru nodded noncommittally.
Connected.
Everything is connected.
He had already guessed who the fighter belonging to the Kyoto City Bank was.
Kure Raian.
The Kure Clan, a family of assassins for generations, definitely wouldn't come to Kyoto suddenly if they hadn't received a commission.
Only a behemoth like the Kyoto City Bank was qualified to hire someone from the Kure Clan to become their representative fighter.
As for whether the bet issued by the other party to the Yukinoshita Construction Company was premeditated or a sudden whim, that was unknown.
"Crush."
Yoru raised the wine glass in his hand and smiled.
"No problem."
Hearing this, Haruno breathed a sigh of relief, also raised her glass, and clinked with him.
"Then I leave it to you."
After drinking the Whiskey in the glass in one gulp, Yoru put down the glass and suddenly added a sentence.
"Oh right, one more thing."
"What is it?"
Yoru spread his right hand, extended it in front of Haruno, and said righteously to her confused face.
"I ordered a glass of soda water just now, 160 yen. You know what I mean, right?"