We are friends.
After speaking, Gin gave the young girl a faint, somewhat awkward smile, adding, "And partners, too."
She spoke with complete openness.
Shiratori Midori was startled, a warm current surged through her heart, which had been filled with uncertainty ever since her chance encounter with her sister. She lifted her gaze to meet the youth's emerald eyes and flashed a smile.
However, when she turned to face her sister's half-understanding expression, the gentleness on Midori's face remained unchanged, but her tone grew firm: "Why are you here?"
The young girl felt a bit wronged by her older sister's sudden change in attitude and muttered, "I'm on vacation.. I came here to play with Mom.."
This is truly.. such a coincidence..
Hearing this, the duo's mouths twitched, the same thought flashed through their minds simultaneously.
Anyway, you should head back quickly." Shiratori Midori's tone softened slightly, but her attitude remained unchanged: "Remember, do not follow me.
She nodded toward Gin, only then did the Silver-haired youth speak up leisurely, saying the words she should have said long ago.
“Let's go.”
The tender moment has ended.
Author's Note:
----------------------
(1) From Baidu
Little Shiratori Nana is online!
Speaking of which, Gin truly is in love with Shiratori Midori..
Gin was fully aware of Shiratori Midori's family background. After the Mission ended, Shiratori Midori happened to run into her sister, Gin chatted with the two sisters, even giving the young girl a smile and answering her questions.
Midori also knew that Gin would never harm her sister, so she chatted with her sister with complete peace of mind. Her decision to send her sister away afterward was simply because she did not want them to be discovered by others—and this "others" did not include Gin, as Midori was unwilling to let Gin take any risks.
In a similar scene, if we were to imagine Gin and Akai running into Sera Masumi by chance..
Just imagine it.
And then you will discover what is meant by "different fates for different people," and what is meant by "differential treatment"..
..
Unless anything unexpected happens, there will be two updates tomorrow, or perhaps one very long chapter with a high word count.. Actually, I had intended to merge the content of one update with today's content, but I miscalculated the word count and ran out of space before I could finish it..
I plan to speed up my writing to reach the parts I want to write..
Just a heads-up, Gin will be quite charming in tomorrow's two chapters.
Let's put it this way,
If you think Gin's performance in this chapter was mediocre, tomorrow's Gin will be quite charming!
If you think Gin was charming in this chapter, then tomorrow's two chapters will feature an incredibly charming Gin!
Chapter 9 Chapter 9 This Time It's the Sound of Inhaling
By the time Gin had completed and submitted the Mission Report for this mission, Shiratori Midori had already finished her Final Exam.
The brown-haired girl looked pale, as if she had been ravaged thousands of times by a monster like a Slime; her eyes were lifeless.
Shiratori Midori said indignantly, "I really was ravaged thousands of times, okay? —In my mental world."
She spoke indignantly, while Gin, beside her, drank her wine nonchalantly. Only upon hearing her exasperated voice did she deign to lift her eyes, looking at the girl's pouting face.
Like a hamster.
Gin thought this and felt it was inexplicably somewhat amusing.
Midori gave him an exasperated glare, thinking to herself, "Just you wait!"
But before she could devise any measures for "revenge," she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the doorway.
Midori turned her head to look, the charming features of the Blonde-haired woman came into view. The girl couldn't help but grimace with a strange expression before decisively turning her head away.
Gin still maintained her lazy demeanor, sipping her wine in a languid, intermittent fashion.
Unlike Shiratori Midori, who has been so busy lately that she feels as if she needs twenty-five hours in a day, Gin has had nothing to do recently, spending her time on nothing but daily training, eating, drinking, playing.
As it happened, the Black Organization did not understand the equitable distribution of missions. When he was busy before, he had so many missions it was as if they were afraid he would get a decent night's sleep, but now that he was clearly free, he didn't have a single mission.
Logically, he could have chosen to take on some matters himself—something he used to do frequently—but he seemed to have entered a period of burnout lately and had no intention of looking for trouble to occupy his time.
In a state of "not wanting to do anything, yet feeling bored staying at home," Gin had been moping around the house for two days before deciding to learn something new to pass the time.
The last time he was in this state, thinking of Amuro Tooru and Akai Shuichi's driving skills, which were comparable to those in *Fast & Furious* and *Initial D*, he silently went to learn racing.
This time, he learned bartending.
It turned out that he had little talent for bartending. Her instructor felt a sense of frustration at her lack of progress; anyone else would have been kicked out long ago, but since this "student" was Gin, the instructor could only endure it.
However, the Silver-haired youth had no intention of making things difficult for that poor middle-aged man—seeing how her hair had been shaved down by the razor of time, she decided it was best not to add another scar to her weather-beaten heart.
Gin was not one to admit defeat easily; although she knew her bartending skills were subpar, she simply made her own drinks to drink herself. Not only did this serve as self-motivation, but it also promoted the fine virtue of thriftiness.
Look at her, acting so upright and noble for a professional underworld assassin!
She maintained a calm expression, but her mind was already filled with endless complaints.
This wine—it's truly terrible!
At this moment, her continued nonchalant attitude toward Vermouth was not an attempt to appear high-class, but because her taste buds were undergoing an explosion; he simply couldn't be bothered to move!
Gin gave Vermouth a slight nod without saying a word—he was afraid that if he opened her mouth, he wouldn't be able to stop herself from vomiting.
Beside them, Shiratori Midori, unaware of the truth, felt her heart inexplicably settle as she watched her companion remain so calm. She greeted Vermouth, her tone and gestures flawless.
Vermouth, equally unaware of the truth, nodded to Shiratori Midori, then turned to Gin with a half-smile, "It seems you've been living quite easily lately?"
That bitter and astringent sensation finally began to fade. Gin placed the glass in her left hand onto the table, finally in the mood to engage in a battle of wits with Vermouth.
Her jade-like eyes shimmered with light as he spoke in a playful tone, "What, are you trying to find something for me to do?"
I truly do.." Vermouth's voice was sweet and her tone gentle, carrying an indescribable allure: "After all, you are quite a rare individual.
"Oh?" Being praised by such a great beauty, Gin showed not the slightest hint of pleasure; she leaned back against the chair, her gaze fixed on Vermouth.
The blonde woman tossed her hair and smiled, saying, "Truly.. the first time I saw you, I thought you were quite remarkable. A beautiful youth like Adonis?"
Adonis?" Gin sneered. "Do you think I'm so weak that I could be killed by a 'wild boar'?
Of course not.. I am well aware of your strength," Vermouth smiled. Regardless of what she was thinking in her heart, her gaze was soft and calm at this moment. "I reckon that in a few years, you'll be able to stand on equal footing with me, won't you?
Gin seemed to be amused, a faint smile barely touching her lips, yet her following words remained just as blunt: "Are you here to flatter me?"
Vermouth raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms; even this ordinary gesture took on a touch of charm when performed by her. "I just think it's a pity."
A pity?
She took a few steps forward, leaning in close to Gin, her voice as soft as the clouds on the horizon: "If I had known it would be like this, I should have asked back then if I could sleep with you. It's certainly become much harder now."
Gin..
Her mouth twitched uncontrollably for a moment, but he quickly regained her composure and gripped Vermouth's shoulders. With a forced, mirthless smile, her cold voice carried a hint of irritation: "Is this all you came here to tell me?"
Of course not." Vermouth stepped back tactfully, her posture composed. Gin released her in turn, once she had come to a halt, the latter spoke leisurely, "But it's not too late. Do you want to give it a try?
Gin: …………
I see, she's only here to tease me.
The Silver-haired youth twitched the corner of her mouth and glanced at the Brown-haired girl, who was staring blankly to the side.
Is this.. perhaps not quite appropriate?
Shiratori Midori had an awkward yet polite smile on her face; she raised her eyebrows and looked toward Vermouth.
"Oh?" Vermouth let out a questioning syllable—though her expression held no hint of curiosity.
I see—" Shiratori Midori said with a bright smile, her tone half-joking, "If you two get too intimate, I'll get jealous.
"But, you two don't seem to be lovers?" Vermouth said, cutting straight to the point.
Shiratori Midori looked at Gin.
Gin's expression remained unchanged. "It certainly is not."
Hearing such blunt words, Vermouth was also momentarily stunned, thinking to herself how strange it was.
You'll end up all alone if you keep acting like this!
Shiratori Midori blinked, before she could show any emotion, she heard the youth's clear voice:
So what?" Gin's eyes softened slightly. "In any case, she is special.
I was wrong..
Vermouth looked at the two of them speechlessly, truly at a loss for words.
Since when did this become an option?!
Shiratori Midori laughed loudly: "Exactly, so what if we aren't lovers?"
“Whatever，I am the special one forever！（2）”
The Brown-haired girl, wearing a bright smile, took a few steps forward and threw herself toward Gin.
Gin did not expect Shiratori Midori's movement, but years of tacit understanding allowed him to reach out naturally, letting Shiratori Midori fall into her arms.
The next second, Midori wrapped her arms around her neck, nuzzled against her neck, then stood up, using her right hand to brush aside her loose, moonlight-like silver hair.
Gin tilted her head, thinking it was about time, but in the next second, she was also stunned—
The brown-haired girl leaned in again and gave her neck a gentle kiss.
The kiss was light, resting upon the youth's fair skin; it was not a silent kiss, as the girl closed her eyes and gently caressed her; the kiss lasted for quite a while, continuing for a full minute.
The girl's short brown hair was scattered slightly against Gin's neck, bringing a faint itchiness; her lips were very soft, carrying a slight warmth.
A hint of surprise appeared on Gin's face, but she did not move, nor did she refuse; her green eyes held a trace of faint indulgence.
Whatever she wants.