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Bourbon’s movement doesn’t stop when he overhears the news, he doesn’t pause in his steps, and his expression doesn’t change. Inwardly, his mind goes blank for a full second before the wheels inside his brain start spinning again, faster and faster, as he starts planning the next steps.
And then he breaks into a sprint. Jumps onto his car. Speeds his way to Kir’s apartment.
“Mizunashi-san,” he says, when the door opens. Kir’s in her motorcycle suit, her hair tied back into a ponytail, her eyes sharp, the very embodiment of a graceful black cat who’s actually lethal and can attack at any minute. “I need you to pass on a message for me after you leave.”
Kir and Bourbon have met up 2 days ago and discussed the current situation, coming to the conclusion that at the rate Rum is sending in his team to work on it, it’s only a matter of time before they uncover that Akai Shuichi is still alive. Both of their cover would be in danger if things come to that point, but Kir especially so. Bourbon may have incorrectly reported Akai’s confirmed death, but Kir was the one who supposedly killed him. It may be incompetence on Bourbon’s part, but there would be no other explanation than betrayal on Kir’s part.
“You’ll have to get out before it’s too late,” Bourbon said. “Preferably as soon as possible. Things are going to come out.”
Kir studied the information Bourbon brought, her face pale but determined. Focused. There was almost no way out of this, and while the inevitable might be able to be temporarily delayed, it would happen eventually. Good spies can’t and shouldn’t bank on the miniscule chance that things don’t get to that point. Good spies don’t rely on luck. They know when things have become too risky and at which point one should cut the losses, or else they’re just going to lose more.
Besides, with the scrutiny Kir had been under ever since Gin had started distrusting her, it wasn’t as if her staying could provide that much help on information gathering at this point. Plus, they still have Bourbon.
Of course, he would also come under heavy suspicion even if he wasn’t outright declared a traitor like she would be, if - when - things do get to that point.
“You need to report to Rum you have uncovered new evidence that Akai is alive, and that your previous conclusion was wrong,” Kir summarized decisively. “Before he finds out from someone else.”
He nodded, a quick motion of his head. Their eyes met, holding each other’s gaze, and even before Bourbon said anything, she knew that they’re thinking the exact same thing. Minimize the losses, utilize the chance, give up what is no longer yielding results.
“And you need to leave before I tell him,” he said. “Run.”
If she stays, her situation is more precarious than Akai’s, they both know. He may be considered an enemy the organization most wanted to get rid off, but he’s out of their grasp now, unlike her who’s still well within their reach. Even if they find out where he is, they are too wary of him to directly try to kill him without some kind of elaborate planning first. There is a reason that he remained alive - officially alive, that is - even two years after running away from the organization. There is a reason why Gin ordered Kir to kill Akai, instead of directly facing Akai himself. The revelation of him being alive wouldn’t cause them to go after him immediately, not when he’s surrounded by colleagues here, not when now his reputation would become more terrifying, as the man who was supposed to have died but didn’t. She, on the other hand, needed to get out of here. Soon.
But not immediately.
She nodded. “But not so early that he’d suspect you alerted me first.”
“Not too early,” he agreed, his expression concentrating into a frown. “I didn’t alert you. Akai did. He contacted you to let you know I found the truth and you escaped from the organization after hearing from him. That explanation could work.” He paused. “It’ll just be cutting it close.”
“We have to, if we’re to ensure you can continue to stay on the inside,” she pointed out. “Else we could just have both gone on the run.”
Their eyes locked again. “Right,” he said, finally. “I think we can afford a little time - this is important information I want to report to Rum in person, but you on the other hand, can start the evacuation once I ‘found out’, so to speak.”
“An hour?” She suggested.
He considered. “That should work. Would you be able to do Thursday? We can’t delay this too much.”
“Wednesday,” she said calmly. “Every single day increases the chance of Rum finding out before you tell him.”
“Wednesday, then,” he agreed. “I have to go now, to make sure at the very least they don’t find out before Wednesday.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” Kir says now, her eyes narrowing. It’s 45 minutes before the time she and Bourbon have agreed for her to start evacuating, and less than 2 hours before he will report Akai’s alive status to Rum.
“I can’t phone you using Bourbon’s phone, in case they check my history later,” he says. “And I have already gotten rid of my other phone. Listen, I have uncovered new information and I need you to pass on a message for me.” He exhales. “Gin is planning to go after Scotch’s brother. He recently found out about him.”
Kir’s eyes widen.
It was only a recent thing that she learned of Bourbon and Scotch’s connection, that they were not only colleagues but also long time friends.
“I need you to tell Akai to keep him safe. Do it - for Scotch.” He swallows. The rare emotion, briefly surfacing, gets hidden quickly again as he continues, “Kazami can provide all the information about Scotch’s brother needed.”
“I will pass the message on,” Kir says immediately. “You really need to go now, though. You can’t be seen visiting me.”
“Thank you,” Bourbon says formally. He looks more serious than he usually looks - more like Furuya Rei instead of the cavalier Bourbon, and tone grave and sincere.
He turns to leave, and maybe it’s not the smartest idea to delay Bourbon, but also maybe 15 more seconds wouldn’t matter, so she says, “I will see what I can do too. Rye wasn’t the only one who was his friend.” She may not have been as close with Scotch as Rye did, she might not have slept with Scotch like Rye had, but Scotch … was a friend to her, too. She wanted to say all that, but from his eyes she can see he understands what she means. And besides, it’s probably not the best idea to elaborate all her thoughts at the current moment, considering how they are short on time right now, and she still recalls how Akai once mentioned that Bourbon was not aware that Scotch and Rye had slept together, back in the day.
Bourbon pauses in his steps, and half turns to look at her. “I appreciate that, Mizunashi-san.” he says, voice soft. “I should go.”
“Be careful,” she says. Because even if he’s (hopefully) not going to be branded a traitor like she would be, he would still fall under some suspicion, some doubts about his loyalty, and it wouldn’t be the same. He’d be under more surveillance, just like how she was, ever since she was “rescued” back into the organization all those months ago.
“I will,” he says. He smiles briefly. “See you on the other side, Kir.”
Kir packs light, because it’s an evacuation, an escape, because she’s running away, not going on a vacation. She deserts her phone - the cell signal could be used to trace her. All the important information has been cleared out, anyway. Leaving it behind would at least temporarily make them think she’s still here at her apartment.
She glances at the kitchen, then her eyes land on a specific object. On the fridge, pinned by a magnet, is a selfie with Vermouth - they took it at a photobooth at a theme park a year ago, at Vermouth enthusiastic insistence that time they went on a day trip there in between missions. Kir never knows what that woman is playing at. She should’ve thrown away the photo long ago, but somehow it kept being stuck on the door of her fridge.
After a moment of hesitation, she doesn’t go and take it. Instead, she turns to leave, leaving that photo behind. Her undercover days are over now.
Time to escape.
The long, long days of being a NOC, being under scrutiny and suspicion of Gin and the others, staying in the dark - those are over, now. Her mission has come to an end - and the undercover part has failed, but the organization has not yet been destroyed, so this is far from over. Only her NOC life.
Well, at least there’s nothing that she’ll be missing, nothing she’ll be looking fondly upon.
She glances in the direction of the kitchen one last time, the fridge, the magnet, the stupid picture she never threw away.
She steps out of the apartment and closes the door. Putting on a helmet, she then climbs onto her motorcycle.
Time to leave.
Kir deserts her motorcycle halfway, then joins into the subway crowds, then gets off at a station Akai texted her. Upon exiting the station, she sees a man with pink hair. Akai has described his disguise to her before, via words, but this is the first time she ever sees him directly. The man fits all the descriptions Akai has described to her before about Okiya Subaru, and looks nothing like the Akai Shuichi she remembers.
“Do You Remember the First Time? ” He says. The code they have agreed on prior.
“I prefer Common People.” She says, the response she knows he’s expecting. Confirming that he is indeed Akai, and she is herself, not Vermouth in disguise.
He leads her into a car, and then explains that he’ll be driving her to a hotel that his brother has already made reservations at. Guaranteed privacy and security, he assures her. It’ll be too risky for her to show up near Beika at the current moment. She catalogs all the information he tells her into her head quickly, filing each little piece into a compartment. The way to maintain contact for the next week. The current status of the FBI operating from Kudo Mansion. Edogawa Conan. Haibara Ai. Kudo Yukiko.
In turn, she says. “I have a message for you, from Bourbon.” She cuts to the point directly. “It’s about Scotch’s brother. Gin found out about him and is planning to go after him soon.”
She sees his fingers tighten around the wheel.
“Bourbon asks you to protect Scotch’s brother - his subordinate Kazami-san can get you all the information needed.”
Being no longer undercover anymore is a bit of a surreal feeling. She’s spent so long being a NOC, deep inside the organization, playing the role of Kir, pretending to be a cold blooded organization member loyal only to the organization. Aside from the brief time she’d fallen into the FBI’s hands - and even then, she spent most of the time that week on a hospital bed faking unconsciousness - she’s been in the organization for several years by now, and now finally able be outside of it, to stop pretending, it’s something she’s still getting used to.
In some way, the end of her NOC career ended as suddenly as it had started. She was only supposed to be in the organization briefly, to get in and then get out immediately, her only mission to help facilitate communication between her father and the new CIA contact. It was supposed to be in and out. She never planned to stay that long. She was supposed to pretend to die in an accident and then get out. But a chain of tragic events eventually lead to her to continue to stay undercover, to be a NOC in place of her father, to continue his mission.
Her job is not over yet, but at least she’s able to temporarily breathe now, at least she doesn’t have to report to Gin every day. Doesn’t have to live under heavy suspicion from everyone all the time. Doesn’t have to wonder how much Vermouth’s seen through her, how much she knows, but only pretending not to have guessed, if only for her own amusement and convoluted motives and secretive agenda.
Kudo Yukiko-san visits her two days later, coming over to give her a crash course on basic disguise skills. And offering to disguise her if she wants to get out of the hotel room for some fresh air. She’s also here to provide the latest information she hears from Vermouth.
“Sharon asks about you,” Yukiko says, planting a wig on Hidemi’s hair as she speaks. “She generally doesn’t talk to me about any of the organization stuff - she prefers to keep me out of it - and she’s been refusing to tell me anything right now too, except that she does ask about you, in a round-about way. Ask me if I’ve seen you - and I say, Mizunashi-san from the news? She doesn’t seem to have been on the news recently. And then she drops the subject. But she might ask again. Still, she doesn’t talk to me about the organization stuff, at least she doesn’t like to, so it may be a while.”
“We haven’t been able to contact Rei-kun - Yu-chan and Shuichi-kun thinks that he might be under close watch of Gin or Rum. Although from the information you passed along, Gin might be more occupied with something else these days. Still, that man can probably multitask.”
“Alright, all done now - just give me 5 minutes to put on a disguise for myself also and then we can go out. It must be tough living under close watch of them all the time, and I know you want to focus on destroying the organization, but this is a marathon not a sprint. You can’t burn out, it’s important to relax -especially now you finally get a chance to. I know you just wanted to go out and get lunch, but I’m thinking we can go shopping in the newly opened department store this afternoon. Ai-chan - Sherry, that is - tells me that when one is being heavily monitored, there isn’t much chance to go shopping.”
Over the next few weeks, with Kudo Yusaku and Kudo Yukiko’s help, they create a fake trail of her leaving the country, so if the organization tries to track her, they’ll think she’s no longer in Japan. There’s an additional guest room at Kudo Mansion that Yukiko offers for Hidemi to move into. “And I’ll create a new disguise for you, too.”
Since Bourbon only reported to Rum that Akai is alive, but not the Okiya Subaru disguise Akai’s using, Subaru, giving off too different vibes from Akai, hasn’t fallen under any suspicion. If Hidemi moves into the Kudo Mansion as some “suddenly appeared distant relative”, the timing would be suspicious if the organization - specifically Vermouth - finds out that there’s a new occupant claiming to be a distant relative.
“Therefore, your new disguise,” Yukiko-san announces. “Will be an exchange student Lisbeth - ‘Okiya Subaru’ met you at Tokyo University, and the two of you are dating right now.”
“Have you ever pretended to date anyone before?” Hidemi asks him later.
His expression is blank and neutral. “That would depend on your definition of pretending. But keeping up appearances while outside would not be a problem. I am a fast learner.”
She remembers the story of him and Miyano Akemi, of how Rye used Miyano Akemi to quickly climb upwards in the organization, how he pretended to fall for her just to get a quick entry into the organization. How much of that was pretense she doesn’t know, what she does know is that Miyano Akemi is dead now, and whether or not that has been a pretense, he probably does not want to talk about it.
Oh also, she knows that he and Scotch had a history too. Which seems to add another point for the “pretend” column. Still, it likely hadn’t been pretense for her, even if it’d been pretense for him.
“What about you? First time?” He asks.
“Not exactly,” she replies. “But usually it was for one night only - infiltrating into a party together with another organization member to get information. Pretending to be a couple for just a couple of hours at a time. Usually with Vermouth.”
“The Rotten Apple,” he murmurs.
She resists the urge to comment on that. She’s heard him refer to Gin as his “lover”, after all. This seems harsh, in comparison.
“And occasionally Gin,” she adds.
“Ah,” he says, “my beloved archenemy.”
Her eyes narrow slightly.
“Anyone else?” He asks, casually.
“Scotch, once,” she says.
Silence falls. And then he breaks it, “Scotch - he was great. Best mission partner one could ask for.”
“How is the protection plan going?” She asks. “With his brother.”
“I’ve been to Nagano - that’s where he lives - the whole week - only back for today, since Yukiko-san said you’re moving in. Furuya-kun’s people are also there, when I’m not present - I’ve read through the security detail. It’s good. Still, I’d prefer to stay closer. I … owe it to Scotch.”
She looks at him. She wonders what happened that night, exactly. The official story is that Rye executed Scotch, but she’s seen Bourbon’s change of attitude, so she has to assume that there’s a deeper story there, something Bourbon just recently figured out. But just like she thinks that he probably doesn’t want to talk about Miyano Akemi, he likely doesn’t want to talk about Scotch’s death either.
So she doesn’t ask.
Still, there is something that needs to be said. As much as he probably doesn’t want to hear it. The thing is, he is a silver bullet, one The Boss feared could destroy the organization. Kir liked Scotch, back then, he was great. But Akai, with the skills he provides, can probably be more utilized elsewhere. It’s a cold thing to say, to tell Akai that he should probably focus on the bigger picture, instead of the protection of a single person.
“I understand the importance of what you’re doing. And I respect it,” she says carefully. “But -” she halts, hesitates. He’s spent so much time playing the Okiya role, after all, going to university classes as part of his cover, cooking at home, babysitting first graders playing detective. He’s waiting, she knows, and that while he waits he can afford to focus his energy on something else. She can’t tell him that he shouldn’t spend his time in Nagano to protect Scotch’s brother. There’s not much he can do right now anyway, so why stop him? But still, when the time comes - he can’t afford to be playing security guard when the job could be delegated. She thinks she should remind him that.
But it’s Akai, surely he must already know, she thinks. Cold, calculated, concentrated. The silver bullet who can take down the organization. Never emotional, never losing sight of the big picture, or so everyone says.
“Gin is the one going after him,” he says coolly. “Not anyone else, Gin. Not a random member without a codename. It’s Gin.”
“Right,” she says.
“I am not only doing this because I owe Scotch, but also, it’s Gin. I cannot just standby. Plus, knowing Gin’s target beforehand and using the chance to capture him - when put that way, nobody could ever say I’m only doing this to compensate for my guilt, could they?”
“You’re right,” she says again. “Sorry for -”
“It’s fine,” he waves the apology away. “I understand your concern. But this is also strategic, if that makes you feel better. It certainly did make James feel better.”
“Are you heading for Nagano again tomorrow?”
“The day after,” he says. “And I’d like to invite my ‘girlfriend’ to go with me - as a ‘vacation’.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“It’s Gin. I need backup. Furuya-kun’s people are also there, but I want someone there who understands Gin, just like I do.”
She considers that, running the different angles in her head. “Okay,” she says. “I’ll go with you.”
Hidemi and Akai - under the disguise of Lisbeth and Subaru - receive a visit from a woman with her hair tied into a bun on their fourth day at Nagano. Uehara Yui, according to the information provided by Bourbon’s subordinate Kazami. A friend of Scotch’s older brother Morofushi Takaaki. One of the Nagano police.
She’s wearing a light purple suit, and has a very competent office-lady look on her. The efficient type who gets things done. She has a warm and polite smile when she greets them, but Hidemi can sense the underlying sharpness and determination. A force not to be trifled with. In a way, she recognizes these people precisely because she’s one of them, too. That’s not to say Hidemi doesn’t think she isn’t actually warm or all that is just pretense.
The two qualities don’t actually contradict each other, after all. She should know.
“We’ve been briefed by Chief Kuroda,” she explains, getting to the point quickly. “Thank you both for being here. We appreciate that a lot. In the meantime, if there’s any need, do not hesitate to ask us for help, too. Anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable. It’s a lovely place, Nagano. I know you’re not actually here on vacation, but - hopefully your stay is enjoyable, regardless.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” Hidemi says. “How much are you guys aware of the current situation?”
“There’s a dangerous assassin who’s coming after Takaaki - Gin, we were told of his codename. And shown a picture. The organization’s reaches are wide and shouldn’t be underestimated.” She says. “Takaaki’s brother Hiromitsu-kun’s friend is still undercover. He goes by the alias Amuro Tooru - I’ve met him once, when he visited with Mouri-san. The security detail is tight but leaning closer on the minimal side - hence why the two of you are here.”
Hidemi frowns slightly, and Akai gives her a quick look that says “I’ll explain later”. She nods imperceptibly at him.
“That’s the gist of it, Uehara-san,” Akai says. He hesitates. “May I ask a personal question?”
“I can’t promise I’ll answer, but sure,” she replies smoothly.
“Scotch - well, Morofushi Hiromitsu-kun - did you and him know each other?”
She blinks, seemingly taken aback at the question at first, but then her expression changes to understanding. “Not as much as you’re probably imagining, I regret to say,” she says apologetically. “Hiromitsu-kun moved to Tokyo when he was a kid, and the two brothers didn’t really grow up together. I know him, but - that was a long time ago, and after he moved, he’s visited Nagano occasionally, coming to see his brother. But not that often - and then he went undercover. Well, I only learned of the last part recently. I liked him, he’s always been nice when he’s around, but I would say I didn’t really know him that well.” She looks curiously at them. “If you’ve worked together a lot when he was undercover, you probably knew him better than I did.”
Hidemi and Akai exchange a look.
“I’ve worked with him occasionally,” Hidemi says. She nods at Akai. “And he even more, I think. But we were all undercover at that time, so it's hard to say how much of him we saw is the real him.”
“He’s - we were all doing dirty work back then, but let’s just say, amidst all the darkness, he feels … different from the rest. Of course, I can never be sure, back then, and I know not to trust instincts that could be misleading, that could just be wishful thinking, but - occasionally I would feel, maybe he’s different from the rest. Like in the midst of all the terrible people I’m surrounded with, he’s … somehow cleaner, better than the rest.” He pauses, then looks at Hidemi, and adds, “no offense.”
“None taken,” she says dryly. “I used to think you’re like, a copied version of Gin, so,” she shrugs.
He raises an eyebrow, looking slightly amused. “Ah,” he drawls. “Offense very much taken.”
“Not sorry,” she shoots back. “You practically copied his brand.”
He laughs. “I made the look fashionable. When it’s just him, it wasn’t in style or anything, but after I started, well, it became a trend. He should thank me.”
“Gin,” Uehara catches the codename mentioned. “The same Gin we talked about earlier?”
“Yes,” Hidemi confirms. “Akai knows him very well, he’ll be able to predict what Gin’s plans and next moves would be. We’ll keep you guys safe.”
“Yes, I studied him relentlessly in order to copy him and hence my extensive knowledge of him, I got a Phd in Gin, some might even say,” he rolls his eyes at her. There’s a hint of a ghost of a smile on his lips that only people who’ve known him long enough could see, and Hidemi is one of them, at this point. A smile that indicated that if not for the presence of the two ladies, one of whom he only just met today, he’s about to make a dirty joke of some kind. But then, he looks more serious as he turns to Uehara, and says, “But jokes aside, she’s right. I do know Gin very well. And I’ll do my best to ensure Morofushi-san - and also the rest of you’s - safety. He may be dangerous, and very, very skilled, but that’s precisely why he can also be predictable. Amateurs can be wildcards, but experts - it’s much easier to follow their train of thoughts.”
“Thank you,” Uehara says. She takes a deep breath. “Also, there’s something I want to discuss with you two. Yamato-Keibu and I agreed that it’s best to make you aware, just in case.”
Hidemi and Akai exchange a look of businesslike alertness. “Of course. We’re listening.” Hidemi says, leaning forward a little on the chair.
“Takaaki-san is the smartest person I know,” Uehara begins. “Hands down, bar none. Deduction genius. He’s calm and collected and always one step ahead of everyone else. He makes the most level-headed decision - usually.”
“Usually,” Akai repeats.
“Usually,” Uehara agrees. “Kan-chan - I mean, Yamato-Keibu - and I are worried, and we want you to be aware so as to better plan things and assess the situation and any potential danger that may arise. Because this is - about his brother, in a way. Even the calmest people might make riskier than usual decisions.”
Hidemi thinks she understands. She has a younger brother herself, after all. And she knows that Akai has younger siblings too.
“Years ago, Kan-chan was in danger in the mountains - a terrible blizzard, during that time. Takaaki went against direct order and went searching for him. When it’s for someone he cares about, he’s willing to risk a lot. I’m grateful for what he did that day but also, that’s exactly why we’re worried right now. The fact that his brother died because of the organization, and - I’m not sure what exactly he might do, he’s smarter than I am, but - he may take some risks that you didn’t anticipate he’d take. We want to give you a heads up beforehand. Just - something to keep in mind, be prepared for. Yamato-Keibu wanted to come with me but Morofushi-Keibu is closer to him, and more likely to notice if he’s gone for a longer time, so I came alone. He’s not going to be happy if he knows we came to talk to you about him behind his back.” Uehara exhales. “But we thought it’s still for the best that you are informed.”
“Thank you,” Hidemi says. “Any information is useful.”
Akai nods, agreeing with Hidemi. “It helps us get a clearer picture of things and take extra measures. Thanks for coming to us.”
“Thank you for all the hard work,” Uehara says sincerely. “Well, I should get back. Again, please don’t hesitate to let me - and us - know if you need anything.”
“We will,” Hidemi says. “Thank you.”
As Uehara is about to leave, Hidemi says, “Oh, and, Uehara-san. I know you said you didn’t know him that well, but - I would still like to get to know the parts you know. The him, outside of that organization. When this is all over, maybe we could all … get together and talk about Scotch. Morofushi Hiromitsu-kun.”
“Of course. That would be very nice. When this is all over.” She smiles softly. “It’s nice to see him getting remembered by different people.”
“What was it that you were going to tell me - you know, earlier when she mentioned that the security detail is tight but leaning to the minimal side. You gave me a look.”
“The security - the whole operation - is off the books. Or highly classified, and only known to a few individuals, one might say,” Akai explains.
“And it’s off the books because…?” Hidemi asks.
“According to Kazami-kun, Scotch’s exposure was likely because of an internal leak. There are concerns that the same leak could be the reason Gin obtained information on Scotch’s family. They may have a double agent inside the Japanese.”
“Hence us.”
“Hence, us. It’s a speculation, of course, but one I personally agree with. You remember Kusuda Rikumichi?”
The man whose corpse replaced Akai’s, faking his death. The performance of a lifetime, just the two of them on stage, Gin and Vodka looking through a camera recorder.
She has most definitely not forgotten.
“Of course.” She says.
“The gun he used to kill himself, it’s from the Japanese police.” Akai says. “Besides, I’m sure Furuya-kun has the same suspicions.”
“You think that’s why he asked you to be part of the protection instead of simply having his people do it,” Hidemi says.
Akai nods. “Speaking from experience, he would much rather keep me out of things, and have the Japanese police handle it all. But he asked me - as your message said. So I know he must have the same suspicions about the recent leak being from their internal system.”
Morofushi Takaaki’s work takes him all over Nagano to investigate different crimes, meaning Akai and Hidemi get the chance to visit different places in Nagano too, while also pretending to be a couple since that’s their cover outside.
“Do you think he was here once too - he had to be, right? Even though he grew up in Tokyo. But Uehara-san said he visited sometimes. And this is a tourist area.” Akai says.
“Um, probably. Yeah. Why?”
Akai sighs. “Nothing. Just - I’m looking at the same view he once did.”
She blinks. She would never have pegged Akai to be the sentimental type. Technically, being snipers often on missions together, Scotch and Rye looked at the same views all the time, but she gets what he’s saying. She thinks he’s probably wishing he could’ve come here with Scotch. Here, in Scotch’s hometown.
“I think,” she says softly. “Scotch would’ve been glad you came and saw this. It’s a great view.”
Akai raises an eyebrow. “You were supposed to say, don’t get sentimental now, we’re on a mission.”
Hidemi rolls her eyes. “Well, sorry for being unprofessional.” She pauses, “How’s this, then? When he was here, it was likely to have been with Bourbon.”
Akai makes the gesture of putting his hand on his chest, the place in front of the heart, pretending as if he’d just been shot. “Cruel, but efficient. Thanks for killing the sentimental mood. Let’s get back to work.”
The arrival of the Porsche 356A at Nagano is the beginning of the end.
“Don’t shoot on sight,” Morofushi tells them. “You said he’s not going to kill me immediately, so I want a chance to talk with him and see what he came to say.”
“We won’t kill him on sight, the plan is to arrest him - but I will shoot him if he tries to harm you. Not to kill him, just to wound him.”
“Okay. But still - let me talk with him first.”
“We’re not sure if that’s the -” Hidemi begins, just as Akai says at the same time, “He’s a dangerous criminal not to be underestimated with -”
“I understand,” Morofushi Takaaki says evenly. “But according to you, while he hates NOCs and traitors, his focus is primarily on ensuring they don’t continue to stick around and harm the organization. It’s not a personal revenge thing. But him coming here is a very personal move - if he’s as proper organization agent as you’ve described, his focus would not be someone who’s not much of a threat, someone who isn’t aware of the details of the organization. He came here, because he wanted to talk - about what, I’m not sure. But if he wants something, we can leverage that. Get information from him that could be of use to you, to destroy the organization.”
“That’s a logical line of thought,” Akai says. “But it’s too risky. I would advise against doing so. We can also get information from him by arresting him and questioning him afterwards - if he still wants to talk, we can arrange a visit then.”
Somehow, after long discussions, they end up agreeing to let Morofushi Takaaki talk to Gin first.
Akai sees in his sniper’s rifle’s telescopic sight that Gin gets out of his car and heads in the direction of Morofushi’s house. “Don’t shoot. At least, not immediately.” Morofushi says in a low voice, before destroying the earpiece that they’re communicating with.
Hidemi hears Akai curses under his breath.
Hidemi is closer to the scene - they’ve agreed that Akai would take the long distance and she would cover the closer range. She has a smaller gun, hidden in her handbag right now. She’s watching through a telescope of her own, and listening through the earpiece like Akai is. Well, technically they were both supposed to listen to the conversation Morofushi Takaaki is having with Gin, but now it’s only the two of them.
“Is he in your range, Kir?” Akai asks.
“Yes,” she replies succinctly.
Just that moment, they see Gin walk up to Morofushi, and then aim a gun at him. It’s a threatening gesture, though judging by his movements, it’s just that for now - a threat. He doesn’t seem to intend to shoot. Yet.
“If they’re in the living room, can you aim at him from your angle?” Hidemi quickly asks Akai.
“It’ll be more difficult, but I think I can manage.” Akai replies. “I’ll need your help.”
“You know, maybe we should still - just do it,” Hidemi says. “Like, right now. I know what Morofushi-san said, but -”
“Gin does look like he’s not going to harm him at the moment,” Akai says, the barest hint of frustration slipping into his voice. “Damn it, I think you’re right. I should just - you and I can shoot him - wound him, not kill. Or kill, if it proves to be necessary.” He exhales. “The problem is that, considering that the plan is to first just wound him -”
“If he was attacked, he’d become more volatile where he previously may not have planned to attack immediately. And then that’ll place Morofushi-san in danger.”
“Right.” Akai says. He pauses, then continues. “Stomach and legs. I take the stomach. You aim for the legs. But we observe first. He might say something useful. If he moves to attack, we shoot.”
“We just can’t hear anything now.”
“Yeah.”
They look on for a couple more minutes, and then Hidemi says, “Akai, I think he’s leaving.”
“What the - okay, it does look so.”
“Do we -”
“I’ll keep my aim on him. You too. I would say have the PSB guys arrest him, but - I don’t know if Furuya’s people would listen to our command, and, if any of them gets injured - it’s Gin.”
“It’s best to let him go for now. We don’t have enough people here. Plus, it’s not like the fact he was never arrested because we can’t track him down. It’s more complicated than that. Anyway, Gin came by himself - not even Vodka is with him. This is a personal thing - as Morofushi-san said earlier. It’s almost as if he’s here for personal business. But if he doesn’t return, that’ll draw out more attention - possibly from Rum and The Boss - to here. They might send someone. It’d place more danger for Morofushi-san and others.”
“You’re right,” Akai agrees. “And I want to know what he talked to Morofushi-san about first.”
They watch Gin drive away.
“They are brothers, alright,” Akai mutters.
“What?”
“He probably thinks that if Gin thinks no one is eavesdropping on them - and also wanted to make sure that Gin wouldn’t find out that the conversation has been bugged - it’ll be more chance to convince him to say something he wouldn’t otherwise, therefore giving out more information. Which I agree is possible, perhaps even likely, but - cutting off communication isolated him alone with Gin. And this is just -” Akai cuts himself short.
“- just what you think Scotch is likely to have done as well,” Hidemi finishes for him.
“Not this exact thing, no, but the general pattern of thinking it’s fine to risk himself for a plan that can gain much, yes,” Akai says.
“Akai.” Hidemi says.
“What?”
“You came when Gin had me call you over to kill you. Yes, we had a plan, we faked your death, but you still took the two bullets. Not to mention that I could have changed my mind and killed you instead. You are not that different from them.”
“.... Touche.” He pauses. “But that was different. You’re an ally - I trust you.” He looks at her. “And I was right, wasn’t I? You didn’t kill me.”
“Right. But you didn’t know.”
They look at each other.
He shrugs.
“As I said, I trust you. Always have.”
“You people let that man into his proximity? Seriously?” Yamato demands, looking at Akai and Hidemi furiously.
“Kansuke-kun,” Morofushi says evenly. “Calm down. I asked them to allow the meeting.”
Yamato points a finger at him. “You - shut up. I did not ask for your opinion -”
“They had it under control, Akai-kun’s sniper skills are excellent. They would’ve shot him, if needed. It wasn’t needed. End of the story.”
Yamato Kansuke glares at him, and turns to storm away.
Morofushi watches him walk away, his gaze calm. “Sorry about that. I’ll talk to him later and let him know that you two are not at fault.”
Uehara sighs. “You know Kan-chan has a point, right?”
Akai and Hidemi exchange a glance. “All due respect,” Hidemi says carefully. “It was a … bold move, sir. You are unharmed, but you might not have been. He might’ve been even more violent.”
“He did not bring anyone with him. The outfit and attire look new - expensive, as well. He didn’t come for a fight,” Morofushi says evenly. “He has a gun, yes - but he could’ve shot me from even further away if that was his goal. He came to talk.”
Uehara frowns at Morofushi disapprovingly.
“That’s - point well made,” Akai permits warily. “But, for future references, it’s still best to be cautious of that man. He’s a dangerous criminal. Do not underestimate him.”
Morofushi nods calmly. “Noted.”
“So,” Hidemi asks after a pause. “What did Gin want to talk about?”
“He seems to want to know who my brother is, outside of the organization - said he’s been trying to dig up information about his real identity ever since his death. I surmise, from our conversation, that the two of them may have some kind of history.”
It would certainly explain why Gin would even come, in the first place. When there are much better things to do than track down a dead NOC’s relative. She glances at Akai. What is it with Scotch and men with long-hair, she thinks. Akai narrows his eyes at her slightly, possibly reading what she’s thinking.
“You said he reminds you of Scotch, but - I think he’s more like you, actually. The - bold move, the confidence - the ability to back up that confidence. It was very - you. Is this an older brother thing?”
“.... Very funny, Kir.”
“Not joking.”
Hidemi meets Uehara alone the next day for coffee. “I just - wanted to apologize. You forewarned us, and -”
“Morofushi-Keibu said he trusted the two of you to have things under control,” Uehara says. “I feel it was risky, but - I’m not the expert here. I do trust you guys to be able to take care of any situation that arises. I would prefer not to have risked it, of course, but he did end up unharmed, so maybe he was right.”
“He makes a strong argument,” Hidemi says.
“Yeah, it can be hard saying no to him,” Uehara says. “I get that.”
“Yamato-Keibu seems very angry at us - rightfully so.”
“Kan-chan is … worried, as I’ve mentioned before. We all worry, in some way. Morofushi-Keibu is smart, we both know that, but anything has risks.” Uehara says. “He’s not as mad as you as he is with Morofushi-Keibu, though. They had a big fight last night.”
“The three of you are very good friends.” Hidemi observes.
“Yeah, we’ve known each other forever. I grew up with them,” Uehara smiles. “Used to have the biggest crush on him - Kan-chan, I mean, not Morofushi-Keibu - in my teenage years. We’re just good friends now, though.”
“I used to watch you on the news,” Uehara tells her. “You were impressive. I wondered why you quit so suddenly when you did.”
“Ah, yes,” Hidemi says. “My other job got more … demanding, so to speak.”
“Must be tough, juggling both. Well, three, I guess,” Uehara says softly.
“Part of the job,” Hidemi says, with a shrug. “Someone has to do it.”
Gin doesn’t visit again, and when word from Bourbon indicates that Gin probably wouldn’t come again, Akai and Hidemi head back for Tokyo.
Uehara Yui sees them off at the train station. She has some Nagano specialty goods for them, including the famous soba. She makes Hidemi promise to meet up again once everything is over.
The two of them have gotten to know each other a little better, getting a slight glimpse into each other’s past, in their brief time spent together. The time is brief, and they also haven’t known each other that deep yet, but still, it’s a warm feeling, making a new friend outside of the organization, who’s not in her line of work (fellow undercover agent), and who knows of her real identity. Yukiko-san may sort of count, but she’s really only met her briefly too, before she left for Nagano with Akai.
It’s - a good feeling to have a normal friend like this. Especially after spending so long in the organization, living many lies. Pretending to her fellow coworkers at the news station that she’s just a regular newscaster. Pretending to the other organization members that she too is a loyal organization member. The only other people who know the real her, the different sides, are the fellow NOCs - specifically Bourbon and Akai. And their colleagues who’ve been informed, which are not that many and also don’t know her that well.
It’s a very nice and warm but also a little surreal feeling, to be able to make friends, to be honest about her actual identities, with someone who’s not a NOC. It makes her feel - almost soft, a feeling she hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s slightly addictive. She almost doesn’t want to leave.
But she knows of her duties, and all the unfinished work, and how she should always put the mission first. Not lose sight of the goal. So when the time comes, she boards that train.
She’s going to miss Uehara Yui. She knows that. Hopefully, though, she can be back one day. Preferably soon.
She watches as Yui waves to them on the platform, the train taking Akai and her away, speeding in the direction of Tokyo. In the background, the sun sets. The view of the sky and mountains look almost dreamy, from this angle.
I have to come back here sometime, Hidemi thinks.
The next time Hidemi sees Uehara Yui again, the organization has been properly taken down. The celebration party at Kudo Mansion is a big one, starting in the afternoon. By 9 at night, most others have left.
With the remaining few sitting around the living room, somehow starting a drinking game where people share stories of Scotch, aka Morofushi Hiromitsu.
“I have one,” Kudo Shinichi says. He’s sitting beside Miyano Shiho, who just shared a story of that time after Scotch got sent to the care of Sherry because of mission injury, she confronted him with a gun to ask if he stole her sister’s boyfriend.
“You’ve never met him, Kudo-kun,” Miyano says.
“I did,” Kudo insists. “It was when Ran and I were 10 years old.”
Stories continue to be shared, and at some point, after drinking a little too much, Hidemi decides to get some fresh air outside.
A minute later, she notices that someone has joined her. “Yui-san,” she says.
“Hidemi–san,” Yui greets her. Her hair is falling down naturally now, no longer tied into a bun. It’s the first time she sees her with her hair down, Hidemi thinks. It suits a night like this, underneath the stars and instead of at work. “Do you want to take a walk in the neighborhood together?”
Hidemi smiles. “I’d love to.”
Above them, the stars shine brightly.