kscans

Chapter 83 - Interlude: Akasaka Yuusuke Thinks

Interlude: Akasaka Yuusuke Thinks

Side: None

In the back seat of a vehicle speeding down the highway, the interviewer Akasaka—no, Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency—was on the phone with a subordinate.

It has long been said that moving vehicles are difficult to wiretap, and it remains an effective counter-espionage measure to this day.

Of course, this doesn't apply if a listening device is planted directly on the car or its occupants. That's a battle you have to fight on your own.

The person on the other end of the line was Akasaka's most trusted subordinate. He was confident the man wouldn't allow any listening devices or hidden cameras near him or his surroundings. After all, he carried a custom-modded tablet as a good-luck charm for that very purpose.

—Though, he likely wouldn't be able to handle 'espionage activities by an Awakened Person.'

"Are you really sure you're okay, Director? You don't have an assassin clinging to the roof or anything?"

"Haha. I highly doubt it. I'd like to think they wouldn't resort to such a flashy assassination method. If I am killed, I'm counting on you to investigate."

*"Uh, I'm not a cop, sir."

After laughing at his subordinate's words, Akasaka's gaze sharpened.

"Now then... let's share some information."

*"Yes, sir. So, how were the two of them? You said you were planning to take a pretty big risk, Director."

"Ah, that's right. We don't have much room to maneuver ourselves, so I decided to take a big step forward."

Normally, Akasaka was no longer in a position to be on the 'front lines' like this. However, the personnel he could mobilize and the time Japan had left were both far too limited.

It wasn't that he didn't trust his subordinates, but more than that, he felt he had to play every card he had. He believed the country was at a stage where such measures were necessary.

"I'll get straight to the point. Yagawa Kyouta. He is—"

After a brief pause, Akasaka continued.

"—without a doubt, completely in the dark. He has no connection whatsoever with the British government."

It was a forceful declaration. Hearing his boss's words, the subordinate was momentarily stunned before crying out in surprise.

"Wha-What!? But Director, you said Yagawa Kyouta was a candidate for a high-ranking position in a British special intelligence agency..."

"Yes. He is undoubtedly a candidate. But a candidate is just a candidate. They haven't even brought him into the fold yet; it's more of a 'someday...' kind of thing."

Today, Akasaka had done everything in his power to assess the person known as Yagawa Kyouta.

And he had realized something.

'—Huh? Could it be that this kid is really just a normal person, aside from his power?' ...he thought.

At the very, very end, until the last few seconds before he left, Akasaka had focused all his efforts on creating an atmosphere where Yagawa Kyouta could speak comfortably.

He quickly discerned that the subject 'craved validation' but 'would retreat in fear if over-praised,' and he carefully maintained a conversation along that perfect line.

Kyouta had danced in the palm of Akasaka's hand like a puppet. The skills he had honed by smoothly dealing with foreign diplomats were not yet rusty.

Within ten minutes of the interview starting, Akasaka had seen through to the subject's true nature. To turn his suspicion into certainty, he set a trap just as Kyouta was about to leave.

'For what purpose did you come to Japan, Invisible Ninjas?'

Of course, he knew that Kyouta was born and raised in Japan. He asked the question anyway, to test his reaction.

The response he got was a half-baked joke from a boy who didn't usually talk to people and had misjudged the social distance.

Akasaka's only mistake was falling silent for a fleeting moment—a period of time so short that a normal person's dynamic vision wouldn't have caught it.

It was because a certain sense of incongruity had sprouted within him.

"[Spirit Eye] is a troublesome skill indeed. To think a normal boy could perceive a change in my expression."

"W-Wait... Is he really, truly just a normal person?"

"Yes. Of course, there's a possibility that I'm being deceived."

"Well, I can't think of anyone I know who could deceive you, Director..."

"That's just because your circle of acquaintances is still small. Even I make mistakes. And more importantly, if a skill that affects the mind were used on me, there would be nothing I could do."

Seeing Akasaka's reaction, Kyouta realized he had bombed during the interview and fled the room. His retreat was so abrupt that even Akasaka and the other interviewers couldn't react in time.

But thanks to that, he was certain. There was no connection between Yagawa Kyouta and 'MI6.' His attempt at deception was far too clumsy. And above all, there had been no action taken on Akasaka's side.

If that country were 'serious,' Akasaka was certain he wouldn't be on the phone with his subordinate like this right now.

"As for Rinzaki Erina, she's not an operative either. She, on the contrary, is 'too well-trained.' And in a strange way."

"A strange way?"

"...Well, if my guess is correct, this is a problem for her, her family, and friends to deal with. Or it might not even be a problem at all. It's not something an uninvolved adult should be poking his nose into."

"Director. You said we were sharing information, so please don't be evasive..."

"My apologies. But I truly believe Rinzaki Erina is innocent as well. And... most likely, the secret society known as the Invisible Ninjas may have been a misunderstanding on our part."

"What!?"

At Akasaka's words, his subordinate shouted even louder than before.

The director instinctively moved the smartphone slightly away from his ear.

"But, Director, you were the one going on and on about Britain's secret maneuvers!"

"I'm sorry. But it's the only way to think about it. It makes more sense that way."

He began to speak dispassionately.

That Professor Arisugawa is an archaeologist, currently pursuing the remnants of civilization left in dungeons.

That to do so, she needed personnel who could explore inside dungeons, so she hired her relative, Rinzaki Erina, and further took her school friends, Yagawa Kyouta and the others, under her wing.

That the letters and dungeon items she sends to the UK are simply a university professor's correspondence with her sponsors, an extension of her family connections.

Akasaka relayed these predictions to his subordinate. While some minor details were different, they were largely correct.

*"Oh, I see. So it was all just a baseless worry."

"Yes. From now on, our vigilance toward them need only be that of 'dealing with a group of powerful Awakened Persons.'"

*"That's still plenty difficult, you know."

"No doubt about it."

*"But, if Yagawa Kyouta and Rinzaki Erina are just part-timers hired by the Professor, we'd really want to secure them for Japan somehow."

"That's true, but unfortunately, we don't have the resources. Both our agency and the Self-Defense Force are constantly struggling with budget shortages."

*"It's a harsh world. It really is."

"We can only hope for the next budget meeting."

He shared a bitter laugh with his subordinate and leaned back against the seat.

—The sense of incongruity that had sprouted in Akasaka when Yagawa Kyouta left began to ache.

He felt like he was overlooking something.

With his smartphone in one hand, his brow furrowed. The change in expression that Kyouta had noticed. The strong sense of incongruity that had caused him to make such a mistake.

Trying to put it into words, Akasaka brought a hand to his chin.

"........."

"Is something wrong, Director?"

"No... It's just that something is bothering me..."

In his mind, Akasaka began to reconnect the dots and lines he thought he had already solved.

He felt he was overlooking something 'obvious.'

"...He should be a candidate for a high-ranking position, at the very least."

"Sir?"

"Yagawa Kyouta is a powerful Awakened Person. There's no doubt about that. Rinzaki Erina also has a rare skill. It's safe to assume that the UK would be dying to have them. They should be planning to incorporate them into some organization eventually. ...So why doesn't an organization like the Invisible Ninjas exist?"

To begin with, it was strange that the UK hadn't been involved with Yagawa Kyouta up to this point.

His inner self aside, his power and combat record are 'special.'

There may be stronger Awakened Persons than him. There may be those who have been through more hellish situations.

But such individuals could be counted on two hands. And every single one of them has been targeted for recruitment by foreign countries. Whether successful or not, it always happens.

Until now, he was thought to be already tied to a secret society.

But if the Invisible Ninjas was just a misunderstanding... why hasn't the UK contacted him?

Both Akasaka and Public Security had investigated his surroundings, careful not to provoke him. But they found no trace of contact from other countries. They had thought this was also due to Britain's covert activities... but now, it's more reasonable to assume they simply haven't made a move.

So, why is the UK leaving Yagawa Kyouta and the others alone?

Out of consideration for Professor Arisugawa? Impossible. That country would be more likely to use her connections to try and recruit them.

Experts from every nation have concluded that the existence of Awakened Persons and dungeons will have a major impact on the international power balance in the near future.

—True, a single Awakened Person is weaker than an army.

But what if there were an army of Awakened Persons? Even if not, there are countless ways, for better or worse, to utilize a human-sized tank. The day when existing tactics become obsolete is near.

To begin with, one must consider the possibility of Awakened Persons arming themselves with modern weaponry and becoming an army.

—Items from dungeons are often inexplicable and cannot be used reliably.

But what if research progresses and they become reliable? Improvements in power generation and food supply. A shift in the very nature of infrastructure. Depending on how things play out, it could be a potent drug capable of reversing the positions of developing and developed nations.

The damage from dungeons is great, but the benefits they could bring to the future are immeasurable.

Right now is merely an 'interlude.' It's only been a little over two years since the Day of Awakening. We are still in the dawn of a new era, and the wave of change is gaining momentum.

Would the UK disregard this new tidal wave that has emerged in the world? On the contrary, they seem like the type to actively try and seize the initiative.

Or perhaps they're leaving the situation alone because it benefits their country even as it is? It's not impossible, but there are far too few leashes attached for that to be the case.

Another country could contact Yagawa Kyouta, offer him better conditions and environment than he currently has, and secure him for themselves.

Director Akasaka had seen it. He knew Yagawa Kyouta was a 'socially awkward virgin.' He also knew that he was 'a student with no experience with women, with a personality prone to falling in love easily.'

If a honey trap were set for him, even if he realized it was a trap, he would undoubtedly fall for it, thinking, 'Just a little... maybe there's a chance, a chance this is a real encounter!'

If Director Akasaka realized that the organization Invisible Ninjas doesn't exist, it means someone else could realize it too. If that happens, the US, China, or perhaps another country will move to acquire them.

It's only a matter of time before the 'fictional shield' of the Invisible Ninjas ceases to function.

What is the UK thinking? He can't figure it out.

What if... what if that country is currently 'in the middle of allocating resources to something else'?

If so, what on earth could it be...?

"...Looks like I'll have to cut back on sleep again."

*"Seems so. In that case, please at least sleep while you're in the car."

"...You're right. I'm sorry, but I'll do that."

*"Yes, sir. Well then, I'll be signing off. ...Seriously, please get some rest. If you collapse now, Director, this country will probably be in serious trouble."

"I know. The same goes for you."

Ending the call and putting his smartphone away, Director Akasaka let out a single sigh.

He had nodded at his subordinate's words, but he couldn't sleep just yet. He moved his thoughts to another question.

"Professor Arisugawa... just how much do you know...?"

Yagawa Kyouta and the others had avoided interference from other countries up to this point because they were believed to be already tied to the UK.

But assuming that's not the case... who created this 'shield'?

Was it just a misunderstanding on everyone's part, or did the children's chuuni fantasies happen to align by chance...?

Or is there someone who knows everything and is watching the flow of events? If so, the most likely candidate is...

Just when he thought he had solved one mystery, another had appeared, causing Director Akasaka to sigh once more.

Then, he leaned forward and brought his face close to the driver's seat.

"Sorry, but I'd like to buy some energy drinks and stomach medicine on the way. Could you stop at a drugstore?"

His day, it seemed, would be a long one.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

Director Akasaka Yuusuke himself had taken action, and by quickly discerning the 'true nature' of Yagawa Kyouta and the others, a new suspicion was born.

That the moment he realized this was a turning point that would change the future of Japan.

No one yet knew.

Also, Professor Arisugawa has no idea about the UK's movements either. She is completely caught in the crossfire.