kscans

Chapter 103 - One Ending

In the end, we decided on STS as our team name. Just to be clear, it's not because Satou (S) gender-swapped (TS) the other two. We simply took one letter from each of our initials. We used surnames instead of first names because, well, if we used first names it would be HAM from Hideo, Alice, and Mio. Between STS and HAM, the former is obviously better. Since just arranging the alphabet seemed lonely, we made the official name StrikerS, building off the STS acronym.

"Well, now that registration's done, what should we do? The sun's still high, but want to go drinking?"

"Wait, wait. I have one more favor to ask."

"Let's take care of that before we go have fun."

"Hmm? So what do I need to do?"

After a brief silence, the two spoke up.

"We want to meet with Yanagi and Onisaki."

"We're thinking of settling things properly."

"When I say settling things, I don't mean killing them or anything like that."

"We don't have that right either."

Well, that's true enough. Those guys were definitely in the wrong, but it was these two who chose that path.

"I believe those two have already returned to the public stage, right?"

"Yeah. They're steadily building their social status in the surface world while handling jobs in the supernatural world."

They haven't been back for very long, but their initial sprint was incredible. There are business owners in this world who have good instincts but can't capitalize on them effectively. That's the type of company Yanagi targeted. He earned some seed money through supernatural work and bought up multiple companies with potential that weren't doing well currently. After the acquisitions, he wielded his business acumen and began mining the gold veins that the previous owners couldn't tap into.

"He keeps giving me dutiful reports, but seriously, it's incredible."

My instincts as a salesman are telling me this. The smell of money is thick in the air! That's what they're saying. He obviously can't turn a profit in such a short period, but just the business plans he's described are impressive enough. They might seem dreamy or show some naive optimism, but I know he has the ability to make them reality. Also, regarding the plans, he probably just didn't bother with flowery language because he knows me. If he were securing financing from a bank, he'd surely polish them into a presentation-worthy format. He's sharp and articulate. Banks, sensitive to the smell of money, would gladly lend to him.

"That bastard was incredibly competent after all."

"If he could regain his motivation and return to the public stage, it's only natural."

Takahashi encountered Yanagi as an ally, Suzuki as an enemy, so they're nodding in agreement that such talent is to be expected. But aren't you forgetting something?

"It's not just Yanagi alone."

"Ah."

Yanagi is working with Onisaki, who has insane luck on his side. Even though he was running an okama bar, he's not particularly outstanding as a business owner. When he was running True World, he just delegated everything to capable subordinates. But he has luck.

"Yanagi presents multiple profitable plans and has Onisaki choose based on intuition. You understand, right?"

"What a ridiculous combination..."

"Exactly. In a card game, that synergy would be so broken it'd be immediately banned."

Just being a plan proposed by Yanagi gives it a certain chance of success. Add Onisaki's luck to that and results would exceed even Yanagi's expectations. I don't think every single one would be a huge hit, but even moderate successes would generate profit, so there's no way to lose. It's either major victory or victory. That's the only outcome. This isn't even cheating, it's beyond that level.

"The wealth rankings ten years from now are going to be terrifying."

"Plus, making money isn't even Yanagi's main goal, right?"

"Right. It's just a means for homeless people to reintegrate into society."

And that's already in motion too. He first focused on the homeless people from the riverbank area that had become his home ground in recent years and the surrounding areas. Those with existing skills were immediately hired. Those without were sorted into job training to acquire appropriate abilities.

"Seeing through people's talents and placing them appropriately is child's play for him."

Some of them probably became hermits because they got sick of the world. But this is Yanagi we're talking about. He persuaded them all to love the world again and got every single one back into society. Given how unified Chaos Army was, if you're working under him, you probably won't get sick of the world again.

"Once the money flow gets bigger, he plans to establish support organizations and expand even further."

"I have nothing to say..."

"On top of that, he's still doing solid work in the supernatural world, and apparently he and Onisaki have already absorbed quite a number of remnants through their joint efforts."

"It's so dangerous it's almost funny."

"Yeah. If I wasn't here to crush everything with force, he'd definitely have been eliminated."

He's too dangerous in both the supernatural and surface worlds...

"Let me contact them real quick, so wait a moment."

When I sent a message, I got an immediate reply. They seem busy but will make time along with Onisaki, asking us to come to a specified location in five minutes. By the way, Onisaki's current position is as Yanagi's private secretary. Exactly five minutes later, I teleported with Takahashi and Suzuki. In the reception room at our destination, the two were already waiting and greeted us with neutral attitudes.

"It's been a while... but what happened?"

"It's your fault. You heard about it from Satou Hideo, but actually seeing it in person, the shock is something else, right?"

Yanagi apparently stopped thinking for about ten minutes too.

"But these kids have had their very gender changed. I still have more of my original form since I'm 'equipped,' don't I?"

That's not the issue here.

"Damn it, I feel like my momentum's been killed... Yanagi."

"What is it?"

"I don't hold a grudge against you. Not against myself for chasing dreams either."

"I see. I feel the same way."

"But I'm also glad I lost. I'll never betray Satou again."

If we ever become enemies again, she'll kill even former comrades without mercy. Yanagi smiled happily at Takahashi's declaration.

"Ah, when that time comes, please be the one to finish me off."

Because we were former comrades, perhaps.

"Suzuki-chan feels the same way, I wonder?"

"Y-yes... chan... chan... Takahashi-kun's version sounds naturally good somehow, so why is it just me..."

Give up, Suzuki. This is reality.

"Mm! Thank you, Onisaki. I'm grateful to you. Even though I've awakened from that dream now."

That time was never a lie. That too was one truth of who I am as a person. Onisaki also smiled happily at Suzuki's gratitude. Since the goal was to free former comrades trapped by old dreams, of course he'd be happy.

"If I ever seem like I'm about to stray from the path again."

"Ah, for old times' sake. I'll be the one to kill you."

"Thank you. Please take care of it when that time comes."

Watching the scene before me, I thought:

It's over now, truly over.

The curtain had truly fallen on that battle in every sense of the word.