His thoughts were so cluttered that she failed to notice she hadn't even specified which vehicle it was.
Akai Shuichi did not ask; instead, he looked ahead.
There were many vehicles on the road, but Miyano Akemi's abnormality had begun over an hour ago; it was impossible for it to be a passing car.
He turned his gaze toward the parked car.
The man's interest in cars was perhaps not much less than a woman's interest in jewelry, of course, there were exceptions, but Akai did not consider himself to be an "exception" in this regard.
Among the parked cars, that black Porsche was as conspicuous as a pearl dropped into gravel.
However, Akai's gaze was only drawn to the "pearl" for a few seconds before he could no longer spare even a single shred of attention to it.
Because his attention had been entirely captured by the man standing by the tram.
The moment he saw that silver-haired youth, he only felt a faint sense of familiarity, but when his gaze reached the youth's striking long silver hair, he suddenly realized something and his eyes widened.
His gaze was fixed intensely on the silver-haired youth, Akai Shuichi felt somewhat dazed.
Five years..
The Silver-haired youth not far away seemed to sense something, his gaze turned over.
He still held a cigarette in his left hand, his posture lazy yet composed, his casual glance turned interested after a few seconds.
Gin lowered his right hand from his left elbow, his left hand, which held a cigarette, dropped to his side. His posture remained elegant and composed, but his indifferent gaze turned sharp in an instant.
Where their gazes met, Akai felt a chill brush against his cheek, like a cold and sharp blade of snow.
It carried a chill, radiating danger.
As that chill brushed against his cheek, he twitched his fingers, feeling as though his skin had also been stained by a hint of coldness.
It was killing intent.
Five years ago, he did not understand, but five years later, he understood.
Just like five years ago, that killing intent was pure, yet not intense..
Was it deterrence, or curiosity?
Akai Shuichi looked back calmly, his gaze carrying a subtle hint of provocation.
The person opposite him seemed to sense it as well, the seriousness in his gaze deepening. Akai felt the pressure mounting, yet he refused to back down.
After a moment of stalemate, Miyano Akemi also seemed to sense the stiff and dangerous atmosphere between the two, she trembled slightly.
Akai snapped back to his senses, realizing what he was doing; he pursed his lips and lowered his gaze.
Yet, in his heart, there was still a hint of unwillingness.
Akemi did not notice anything unusual about him—or perhaps she did, but did not say so—she interpreted his oddity as being surprised by the Porsche or curious about that eye-catching Youth.
After all.. he was truly eye-catching.
"Who is that person?" Akai asked, his tone a few degrees softer than usual. His eyes were directed toward Miyano Akemi, but his gaze lacked focus, his mind drifting somewhere else entirely.
Miyano Akemi did not notice, but he pursed his lips and said, "He.. is a very dangerous person.. Do not provoke him."
Is that so?
Akai lowered his eyes, his thoughts concealed.
He thought back to his behavior when he had just locked eyes with the silver-haired youth.
Akai was no longer the green and inexperienced youth he had been five years ago; the changes and trials brought by those five years had allowed him to grow at a rapid pace.
He had clearly become much more steady, clearly capable of handling many things calmly, clearly able to let reason prevail over emotion.
In that instant, provocation was clearly the wrong approach.
And Moroboshi Dai could not hold his gaze for long under such scrutiny, nor was there any need for him to stubbornly refuse to admit defeat.
Even if he was too surprised to react in time, he could have at least looked away after their brief stare.
But—
..
Gin, who had just finished buying Nama Chocolate, leaned against the car while smoking. He happened to glance over that way, in that single glance, he saw—
The pale Miyano Akemi..
He took a calm puff, inhaling the nicotine into his lungs before exhaling a curling plume of smoke.
He probably saw him too.
A stranger walked beside Miyano Akemi, perhaps a friend? Or someone from the Black Organization.
After all, even though she was a low-level member, she still held the identity of "Sherry's sister," and she would occasionally carry out simple missions. As for the people from the Black Organization.. they could be there to monitor him, or perhaps to help.
He gave the Youth a casual glance.
And then—
It seemed that the youth was quite interesting; Gin's hand, which was holding a cigarette, twitched slightly. He felt that the man was likely someone not to be trifled with.
Although he had no particular impression of him.
Taking another drag of his cigarette, Gin raised an eyebrow, gave the two of them one last glance, opened the car door, sat inside, stepped on the gas.
In a short while, the black Porsche had dwindled into nothing more than a tiny, dark speck.
..
He.. is one of the Organization's, codename Gin.
Akai froze, suddenly lifting his gaze, only to collide with the terror filling the girl's eyes.
He understood instantly that what Miyano Akemi said was the truth.
Akai felt that he was.. not particularly surprised by this answer.
After all, since five years ago.. he had known that this man was very "dangerous."
However, until Miyano Akemi said it, he had never considered that person was truly a member of the Black Organization.
Perhaps he felt it was too much of a coincidence, or perhaps.. he was subconsciously refusing to consider that possibility.
Akai calmed himself, regaining his composure as he thought deeply.
For Miyano Akemi, who holds the identity of "Sherry's Sister," to be this terrified, that person is either a high-ranking member of the Black Organization or possesses a terrifying style of operation.
Perhaps, it is both.
Miyano Akemi's gaze was frantic. She hadn't wanted to speak, as she didn't want Da Jun to be dragged into this at all, but if she remained silent and accidentally provoked Gin.. the consequences would be even more severe!
"It's alright, don't worry." A man's low voice drifted into his ear.
He looked up, seeing the gentle expression in the Youth's green eyes.
Looking at the tenderness in those Green eyes, Miyano Akemi breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his head.
In a place where the woman could not see, the tenderness in Akai Shuichi's eyes vanished completely. His gaze grew heavy as he stared into the distance, his voice soft and slow: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Seeing the girl look up at him, the youth gave a stiff smile, then turned his head away. Once he was out of his sight, Akai Shuichi's gaze gradually grew cold.
He silently mouthed the name "Gin."
Are they from the Black Organization?
He subconsciously searched for the appearance of that man.
The silver-haired youth had a calm expression; he merely raised an eyebrow, gave them one last glance, took a casual drag of his cigarette, entered the car.
Akai Shuichi closed his eyes.
..
Even if they were too shocked to react, they could have simply looked away after making eye contact.
But—
Even though he understood it afterward, at that moment, the most prominent thought in his heart was that he did not want to show weakness.
The impulsive thought that surged through him in that moment..
He didn't want to lose to that person at all.
Author's Note:
----------------------
Gin is currently in a state of burnout—that kind of state where sometimes you feel lazy, don't want to move, feel like nothing is interesting. Combined with the fact that characters from the Plot are appearing one after another, it feels quite ironic, he is in a state of total lethargy.
Then, thinking that there were still five years left, he felt even more listless.
So he began contemplating philosophical questions..
Otherwise, upon hearing such news, he would still investigate to ensure the personnel involved in the plot had the upper hand, unlike his current state of being too lazy to move.
Basically, it will be fine after a while, or perhaps a Mission will come along, or something new will pique his interest or provide some stimulation..
Don't worry, Lord Gin! Your "opponents" are about to make their entrance!
Gin.. You'd better just let me stay lazy.
..
Finished it~ I'll combine the two chapters into one.. Sorry, I fell asleep..
This was that "one-sided encounter" I mentioned before.
To be honest, Akemi, you don't need to worry so much. By the way, I feel bad for Akai—
Gin's side.. it was only a few short lines, filled with the sentiment of, "Oh—that's Miyano Akemi, the other one.. though he looks quite good, who is he? I don't know him."
From Akai's side, it's already looking like a "fated rival(?)" situation~
Speaking of which, every time the two of them have met so far, the atmosphere has always been like this..
New character unlocked in the next chapter!
Chapter 22 Empty Chapter. I'll save this chapter for later; it's for characters in Volume 1..