*Last few chapters have been quite short on words, therefore I'm posting an extra chapter as a bonus to compensate somewhat.
TL RANT: The word count per chapter really fluctuates wildly from 1300 to 900, and in the last few, one is even 600. Furthermore, in a few chapters time, author starts posting double length chapters. Consequently, I'll post 2 double length chapters instead of 4 regular length daily, and the bonuses will be calculated in the same way. If the chapters are shorter, I'll post bonus chapters like this one to maintain the release rate.*
Amuro Tooru didn't have Vermouth's number. But he knew she and Gin were on good enough terms.
And Gin—blessed multitasker of the Organization—held more than a few side gigs, including some power over personnel. If Vermouth had just arrived in Tokyo, odds were good she'd contact him. Which meant Gin might have a clue as to whether she was already out there harassing innocent, underage organization members.
So, Amuro punched in Gin's number and hit "call" with no hesitation. No guilt. If anything, the knowledge that he was eating into Gin's precious schedule was a +1 on his day.
The phone rang a few times before it connected.
"What is it?" came Gin's voice, accompanied by the faint rustle of what sounded suspiciously like a paper planner.
…He really is the kind of person who works non-stop. Amuro briefly worried for the Organization's HR department before shrugging it off.
"Jiangxia's gone off the radar. I suspect he's with Vermouth."
Amuro skipped all preambles and deductions and jumped straight to the point—adding his usual taunt like a garnish:
"Still so consistent, huh? When you can't find Sherry, you lash out at innocent bystanders. What's wrong—too embarrassed to admit you're spinning your wheels? So you fill the void with busywork to convince yourself you're making progress?"
Gin's tone was icy. "Recovering Sherry is the duty of every Tokyo executive—including intelligence agents like you, who drain Organization funds and haven't even found a single strand of her hair. So are you really in a position to criticize me?"
Then he paused mid-sneer.
…Because, unfortunately, Gin remembered something. A not-insignificant portion of those funds Amuro "drained" had been sourced through his budget. His smirk flattened.
But then Gin picked up something else in Amuro's tone—something that said: To him, Ouzo is still just a low-level grunt.
Which meant Jiangxia had taken his previous advice about "keeping your identity under wraps" seriously.
Gin, of course, hadn't forgotten that time Amuro mocked him for "lacking discernment."
Now? Well. Ouzo's continued existence and Amuro's ignorance were proof enough of who really lacked judgment.
Gin's smirk crept back, just a little. A pity Ouzo hadn't come of age yet. Otherwise, Gin would've gladly told Amuro the truth—just to watch him crumble and try to poach Jiangxia like a discount shikigami.
A "great detective" under the Organization's banner was practically a cheat code. You could solve murders and create them in one convenient package.
…Give it two more years. He'd fund a detective agency for Ouzo himself. Let him move out from Amuro's place and sever ties with that clueless spook completely.
Wait a second. What did Amuro just say?
Ouzo was out of contact?
Gin almost reflexively barked back at the insult, but now focused on the actual issue.
He didn't think it was a huge problem. Sure, Vermouth disliked Ouzo because of Sherry. But at most, she'd sabotage a few missions. She wouldn't go as far as abducting and murdering the kid—probably.
Maybe she was just… curious. She had a thing for oddballs.
That said, dragging someone off without saying a word was definitely out of line.
Gin didn't bother replying to Amuro's request for Vermouth's contact info. He simply hung up.
Then, with a sigh of deep organizational exhaustion, he sent Vermouth a direct message:
Watch yourself.
…
Vermouth, however, was in no state to read her inbox.
She had just returned to Jiangxia's room, now equipped with a few choice items: some cleaning supplies, a pair of her own handcuffs, and—most ominously—a determined sense of purpose.
She approached the bed, grabbed one of Jiangxia's wrists, and gave it a tug, preparing to cuff him.
And then—
The hand didn't move.
"...?"
Vermouth froze. Her gaze slowly shifted to the side.
There, lying innocently, was Jiangxia Tongzhi—eyes open, staring faintly at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked, deadpan.
"..." Vermouth paused. Then, smiling sweetly, she reached for her taser with her free hand.
"Why, I'm investigating Gin's repeated work violations. Can't have you running off before I've gotten the truth, now can I?"
Jiangxia narrowed his eyes.
So, that was her plan.
He had originally thought that lying low here for a few days wouldn't be a big deal. There was plenty of fresh, murder-y energy in the air for his shikigami. And if needed, he could always sneak out using one of his alternate identities.
But then his eyes fell on… an object.
An item Vermouth had brought in earlier.
It was weirdly shaped. Plastic. Wide-mouthed.
A hospital urinal.
Jiangxia: "...…"
...
She was a pervert!
She didn't plan to let the hostage leave the bed—she wanted to force this kind of setup on him!
What happened to basic human dignity!?
The Organization really had no bottom line.
Vermouth followed his horrified gaze and let out a soft laugh.
So sensitive. And she hadn't even asked him to help mix cocktails yet…
But this wasn't the time for jokes.
Taking advantage of his momentary shock, Vermouth's smile sharpened.
Her eyes flicked. Her hand moved.
The taser sparked to life—and shot toward Jiangxia's chest.
*Goal #1: Top 200 fanfics published within the last 31 - 90 days by POWER STONES.
Progress: 20/60(approx) for 10 BONUS CHAPTERS
Goal #2: One BONUS CHAPTER per review for the first 10 REVIEWS.
Progress:3/10*