And Gin, walking ahead, was completely unaware of what was going through the mind of his newly recruited subordinate—nor would he care to pay attention.
The Silver-haired youth did not stop his pace, his eyes darkening slightly as he recalled that recent email in his mind.
The sender's signature was a very familiar word.
Brandy
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Author's Note: Thanks to Meow Unspeakable Little Angel for the landmine, love you, muah~
Chapter 41 Chapter 39 The meaningful tone made Gin feel as if..
Brandy.
Gin rolled the word around in his mouth before swallowing it.
Compared to the mystery surrounding Rum, Brandy could be described as quite straightforward.
However, due to the hierarchy and secrecy within the Black Organization, an ordinary person would not be able to see the true face of this elder.
It was a complete coincidence that Gin met Brandy right when he first received his codename.
At that time, he had only just come of age. He pushed open the door to the elegantly decorated and simple study, only to see a man sitting in the armchair behind the desk, quietly flipping through a copy of "The Republic."
The man was not old, perhaps in his mid-thirties but certainly not yet forty. Upon hearing the sound, he lifted his eyelids to look at Gin, his reddish-brown eyes as clear as crystal, yet his gaze was as deathly still as that of an elderly man in his twilight years.
A sudden leak of deeply hidden danger, the color of his eyes reminded Gin of dried blood.
The man's expression showed almost no fluctuation—Gin was not sure if he was using disguise.
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like the croaking of a dying crow, yet his tone was gentle and calm—a quality that hardly matched his identity.
So you are Gin?" He gave a soft laugh, a hint of faint curiosity in his reddish-brown eyes, yet his tone remained indifferent as he said nothing more, "Your codename was even given to you personally by That gentleman.
"Jin, Gin.. I suppose That gentleman also thought it was a coincidence when he gave it to you.." Brandy curled his lips slightly, as if discussing casual matters with an ordinary junior.
The young Gin stared fixedly at his Ability Evaluation officer without responding; having just come of age, his green eyes already held a composure that many lacked.
This mission," Brandy paused, speaking meaningfully, "let's consider it my gift to you for your coming-of-age.
A fierce beast seemed to be hidden within his reddish-brown eyes, yet it was tightly imprisoned by this man: "Make the most of it."
Something flashed within his green eyes. Gin snapped out of his memories and flicked his fingers, extinguishing his cigarette.
The Silver-haired youth [male] leaning against the wall straightened his body and walked toward the agreed-upon location.
What he gave him many years ago was indeed a very "special" coming-of-age gift.
The meaning was complex—and Gin seized upon it.
Years later, he gave him a second gift, allowing him to become a member of the core of the Black Organization at a young age.
Gin did not think that man would do anything meaningless.
..
Brandy's appearance seemed to have never changed, which was quite similar to Vermouth.
However, his voice sounded even more pale and hoarse, like the screech of broken porcelain scraping against glass, which made the Silver-haired youth realize that he and Vermouth were likely not in the same situation.
In fact, there are very few exceptions like Vermouth in the Black Organization. If Gin's memory served him correctly, she was essentially the only one among the high-level members.
Probably.. a disguise.
This face was indeed not her true appearance.
However, Gin also understood that since he had used her own voice instead of a voice changer, he likely did not mind him knowing this—or rather, he had intentionally let him know.
"Senior, what do you need from me?" Given Gin's current status and her own temperament, he could call a codename even when facing the Black Organization's number two, Rum.
And it was the kind of tone that wasn't particularly polite.
However, Brandy had worked with him before and had even helped him out; after all, that previous matter had left him owing a favor, so he didn't mind being a little more polite.
"It's nothing." Brandy's attitude remained gentle. When facing an ordinary person, he was the type to be 'unfeeling,' but when facing someone he respected, the situation was entirely different.
I've heard some rather interesting things.
If anyone else had heard those words, they might have been left completely bewildered and breaking into a cold sweat, but Gin remained as calm as ever, his expression unchanging.
Moreover, he didn't think Brandy was looking for trouble with him.
Perhaps his recent actions have been a bit too conspicuous.
You seem to be quite close to the Little girl from the Miyano family?
Gin was surprised for a moment.
He really hadn't expected Brandy to care about this matter.
This is not what we agreed upon?!
It's just Feiwen; there are enough rumors about him in the Organization.
It's not like we're lacking in that department, either.
So—why are you so concerned with such Feiwen, have you nothing better to do?
“Personally, I find it quite interesting.” The middle-aged Brandy gave a slight smile; the man seemed to possess a profound charm and danger, such that even when he said nothing and maintained a composed demeanor, one could not ignore his inherent sharpness.
Just as no matter how much one enjoys the calm and magnificent beauty of the ocean, one can never ignore its inner surging waves.
Gin raised an eyebrow slightly.
Although he was completely bewildered by Brandy's decision to ignore the matter at hand to instead focus on a colleague's personal emotional issues, Gin maintained his high-quality poker face.
Of course, what he was complaining about in his heart goes without saying.
Instead of worrying about such unrealistic gossip, shouldn't you consider yourself, Senior?" Even so, Gin shot back. She used honorifics, but the meaning behind her words clearly had nothing to do with respect: "You don't seem to have settled on anything yet.
Instead of wasting time worrying about other people's gossip, you should worry about yourself more.
What right does a single dog have to talk about others!
Brandy couldn't help but laugh, his behavior made Gin feel increasingly displeased.
Life after retirement is far too leisurely; I couldn't resist reaching out to some old juniors for a chat." His brownish-red eyes curved slightly, his seemingly languid movements made him appear much softer, washing away the blood-like chill from his gaze. "Do you know how to play chess?
Gin looked at Brandy suspiciously, his blue-green eyes narrowing slightly.
The two spent the afternoon like this. Gin tested him several times, but it was clear that although Brandy did not belong to the "slick" type, he was still someone in a high position who left no room for error.
After a few rounds, Gin couldn't be bothered to say anything more; he had a cold and arrogant personality by nature and had no desire to continue wasting time on trivialities.
Anyway, he would deal with whatever challenges came his way; he was confident in his own strength.
What was slightly regrettable to him was that an entire afternoon of time that could have been spent resting, sleeping, watching movies, or petting an Owl was wasted for nothing.
If only I had known, I wouldn't have come!
The only thing he had gained from this trip so far was a small crown pendant given to him by Brandy. Gin looked it over repeatedly for a long time, but he couldn't make out anything.
He was speechless for a moment, but he still put the pendant away.
Brandy maintained a smile throughout, only dropping a bombshell a second before Gin turned to leave, detonating the atmosphere of the meeting.
By the way, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have more contact with the Miyano family's little girl." His tone remained indifferent, which, combined with his raspy voice, added a touch of eeriness. Both times he mentioned Miyano Shiho, he simply referred to him as "the Miyano family's little girl." In his eyes, Sherry, who had a codename within the Organization, was nothing more than "the Miyano family's little girl": "She is currently just an assistant for some pharmaceutical research projects, but I heard that after she gains a bit more experience—
Gin stopped in his tracks.
Brandy paused, looking at the Silver-haired youth's back, slowly uttered the second half of the sentence.
If she performs well, the Organization intends to have her take over the research her parents conducted back then.
His meaningful tone made Gin feel as if he were remembering the past.
Green eyes turned sharp in an instant; Gin narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a heavy breath.
This was the real point of today.
The silver-haired youth turned around, a cold sneer curling his lips. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Let's get straight to the point; I've never really liked beating around the bush with probes.
Brandy gave a light chuckle, his reddish-brown eyes opening to reveal the killing intent and aura he had cultivated through years of decisive slaughter.
“You're interested, aren't you?”
Without him realizing it, Gin's fingertips twitched slightly.
He did not admit it.
He did not refute it either.
“Coincidentally—” Brandy stood up. Her straight back made him look like a warrior, but the coldness in her eyes belonged to an assassin.
The drawn-out sound carried a complex implication.
In those reddish-brown eyes was a gaze that Gin found familiar—the gaze of one of his own kind.
I am also interested.
He spoke the final words.
Gin looked at him for a long while and let out a soft laugh, the light from the fluorescent lamp falling into his eyes, making them shimmer brilliantly.
..
When leaving, Madra saw him out.
That girl's face still bore a proper, poised smile, as standard as if it had been measured with a ruler.
Gin observed her for a moment before letting out a laugh.
A laugh like this was quite rare for Gin; if that charming superstar were here, she would likely find it quite extraordinary.
However, Madra remained just as calm; the youth's deep, resonant laughter, which sounded like music to the ears, seemed to have no effect on her at all.
My primary research projects are different from Sherry's," Madra maintained a proper expression. "However, there are some similarities.
“If you need it, you can contact me.” The Long-haired woman continued her previous words, her face still bearing an unnaturally sickly pallor. Her fair, rounded earlobes were adorned with sapphire earrings the size of fingernails, which shimmered with a translucent light under the glow of the sunset. “I presume the Boss has already given you my contact information; I hope I can be of assistance.”
"I hope so," Gin said meaningfully, the smile still lingering on his face.