Socially Hitman Side Story 16: The Color of Blue Deception

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I am Dan Neraiuchi. I'm a hitman.

Though, even if I say hitman, I don't do things like killing people.

What I kill is... well, let's just call it "social status".

On the second floor of the World Blue Corporation headquarters building, there is the headquarters of the "Open It Already Committee," a secret team that investigates internal rebels. I had come here after receiving a call from the committee's SB (Super-Ba-visor), Sunu-Ba.

The one who used Sunu-Ba to summon me was the committee chairman, Toshitoshi Aogeba, who looked like a medieval European aristocrat. This neat, elderly gentleman, who was soft-spoken and polite even to me, seemed to have a request for me.

On both sides of him, the sullen secretary-general, Rokusho Aomidori, and the cheeky short-wolf-haired woman, the intelligence agent Akane Aokunai, were looking at me coldly. No, they were glaring at me.

While I felt like I might catch a cold from the temperature difference between these three, I listened to Aogeba's story.

I would like you to perform a "Social Hit." To do that, you must go to the Republic of Sutton.

"The Republic of Sutton?"

"That is correct."

When I asked back, Aogeba nodded.

"Well, to be honest, it's more that I want you to stop a stalking incident than a 'Social Hit.'"

"Stalking?"

I have a bit of a bad feeling about this.

"Yes. We have an excellent employee at our company, World Blue, named Meru Aoza. She was ordered to be seconded to the Republic of Sutton, but it seems she is being stalked."

My bad feeling is getting stronger and stronger. N-no way.

"As for that stalker... this is embarrassing, but he is also an employee of our company, World Blue. He is her peer, a man named Isami Aotomo. We secretly sent her to the Republic of Sutton to keep her away from Isami Aotomo, but it seems the information leaked to him."

It was that guy, Isami Aotomo, after all!!!!!

That bastard! Was having me, as a detective, search for Meru Aozajust so he could stalk her?

That means I was an accomplice to a stalker! Damn it, I shouldn't have been lured in by the "Sato & Nonaka's Sugar."

Ah.

Negorouchi-dono? Is something the matter?

Ababababa.

My, did I say something wrong?

Aoshitaba asked the two people on either side of him. Aomidori just shook his head and said nothing, while Aokunai (Short Wolf Woman) looked down at me and spat out, "He's just crazy, that's all."

Aba... no, it's nothing. Excuse me.

May I continue?

Aoshitaba asked me with a smile.

Yeah.

I have only one request for you. Go to the Sutton Republic and stop the stalking behavior of Aotomo Yu. Aomidori-kun, the item.

When Aoshitaba said that, Aomidori, who had barely moved until then, moved agilely, placed a small attache case in front of me, and opened it. Inside the case was a plastic bag filled with brown powder.

It is a new drug invented by Snuta-san, Cacao the Eliminate Love Cause, or 'CaELCa' for short. It is a terrifying drug that causes anyone who ingests it to instantly lose their feelings of love. Even though the feeling of being in love is inherently a wonderful thing.

So I just need to make him drink this? But does it really work?

There is no need to worry. It has already been verified.

Did you perform human experiments or something?

Actually, I overheard a conversation between you and your friend and, I apologize for bringing up our company, World Blue, again, but I had it used on Aono Tatsuki, who was stalking the company president's secretary, Yuni. Snuta-san, who works in the company cafeteria, put 'CaELCa' into the meal he ordered. And just like that, the stalking behavior stopped completely.

Wow, as expected of Snu-ba. Snu-ba, who was once a Socially Hitman like me. I guess her nickname, 'Internal Breaker,' for ruining targets' health with her outstanding pharmaceutical skills, wasn't just for show.

With that said, I would like you to go to the Sutton Republic. You might feel lonely on your own, so I will have Akane-kun here accompany you as a guide and bodyguard.

Seriously... Aokunai (Short Wolf Woman) is coming too? I feel like it would actually be more dangerous if she came along. Look, she clearly has a disgusted look on her face too.

As for the reward... let's see. How about a permanent free pass to the company cafeteria and an invitation to a tour of the recording set for Utsukushi Ikoe?

I'll do it.

I answered eagerly. Good grief, she really knows my tastes well, doesn't she?

◇

I left the headquarters building with the short-haired wolf woman. Then, to get ready, I decided to return to the Dash Detective Agency.

Arriving at the office, I had the short-haired wolf woman wait outside while I prepared for the business trip. That said, I always keep overnight supplies packed in my carry-on case so I can leave at a moment's notice. It's one of the rules of being a hitman: 'Better to be prepared and have no worries, and if you have no worries, well, that's a happy thing.'

By the way, I didn't have a passport, but Committee Chair Aoshita had already forged one for me. Kids, don't try this at home.

I grabbed my carry-on case and went outside, where the short-haired wolf woman was standing with her back to me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

She should have heard my voice, but she didn't answer. She just seemed to be staring at the western sky, where the madder-red sunset was spreading.

Ever since I met this woman, I had held a single suspicion. She was clearly hiding something.

You're not actually from that company, World Blue, are you?

She answered without looking at me.

...Why do you think that?

Unnaturally blue hair, burning orange eyes, a name that contains 'blue' while denying it, and a wariness that directs hostility toward others more than necessary. I'm just a small-time player in the underworld, but I can tell at least that much.

...I see. As expected of a man recognized by the Super-Visor.

I'm not a person from World Blue. So, honestly, I don't care what kind of feelings you have or why you're lurking in World Blue. Even if I knew, I have no intention of telling anyone. It's just that I can't trust someone whose background I don't know. Since you're accompanying me on my mission, I'd like you to tell me a little bit, at least.

After a silence that lasted for a while, she turned around. The sunset at her back shone like a halo.

She slowly opened her mouth.

"My real name is Kako Tooi. I am the leader of 'Citrus,' a resistance group opposing World Blue."

Socially Hitman, Dan Negorouchi.

He is sharp from time to time.

(To be continued?)

[Reference Articles]

↓ There is a character named "Mirai Tooi"

↓ "Sutton Republic," "Meru Aouza," "Isamu Aotomo," and "Sato/Nonaka's Sugar"

↓ "Yuni" and "Tatsuo Aono"

↓ "Internal Breaker" Snu-ba

↓ There is a voice actor named "Ikoe Utsukushi"

[World Blue Story]

["Socially Hitman" Series]

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