キャロルと別れたアキラがシェリルの拠点に向かっている。
アルファがどことなく機嫌の良さそうなアキラの様子を見て尋ねる。
『随分機嫌が良さそうだけれど、キャロルとの話がそんなに楽しかったの?』
『そんなに機嫌が良さそうに見えるのか?』
『ええ。私はアキラをよく見ているから、それぐらい分かるわ』
『そうか。まあ、確かに楽しかった。ハンター稼業の知らない話をいろいろ聞けたからな』
アキラの素直な感想を聞いて、アルファが優しく
『そう。良かったわね。それなら私もそういう話を集めてアキラに話した方が良いかしら?』
表面上はアキラの
アキラが少し考えて答える。
『うーん。アルファからはハンター稼業の一般知識の前に、東部の常識的な知識とかを習っているからな。アルファにはそっちを先に頼むよ。俺はクガマヤマ都市が東部のどの辺にあるのかも知らなかったし、そっちの知識は後回しだな』
えた表情をアキラに向けている。アキラは男に機嫌良く笑って話す。
「俺を狙うなんて運が悪かったな」
アキラはどこか晴れ晴れとそう言った後、もう一度男を蹴飛ばした。蹴飛ばされた男は小さな悲鳴を上げて路地裏の地面に転がった。
アキラとしてはこれで済んだ話、終わった話だった。自分は強くなった。もうあんな無様は
「......話が、違うじゃ、ねえか......」
クガマヤマ都市の下位区画に無数に存在するビルの一室にヴィオラの事務所がある。そこにヴィオラとコルベがいた。
部屋のソファーに座っているヴィオラが、機嫌の良さそうな声でコルベに話しかける。
ヴィオラから少し離れた場所に座っているコルベが、誘うようなヴィオラの声にはっきりと告げる。
「嫌だね」
コルベの冷ややかというよりはどこか警戒気味な態度を見ても、ヴィオラは機嫌を損ねることなく
でもないことに巻き込まれるのを警戒しながら話す。
「それで、俺を呼び出したのは何の用だ? 俺の報告書の内容が気に入らなかったのか? 報酬を返す気はないぞ?」
「そんなことないわ。報告書は有益な内容だったわ。ちょっといろいろ
「それも報告書に書いたはずだ。読んでないのか?」
「読んだわ。でもたとえ同じ内容であっても、単純な記述と口頭による説明では結構違うものなのよ。ちょっとした交渉だって、内容的には情報端末の通話やテキストメッセージで済む話であっても、相手と
曲がりなりにも雇われている。自身にそう言い訳をしてコルベが答える。
「......それで、俺は何を話せば良いんだ?」
「いろいろよ。それじゃあまずは、シェリルって子のことでも聞きましょうか」
コルベはヴィオラの質問に答えていろいろなことを話した。大抵は既にヴィオラに渡した報告書の内容と同じだったが、一部はコルベがどうでも良いことだと判断して報告書には記載しなかった内容だった。
ヴィオラは興味深い様子でコルベの話を聞いている。コルベはヴィオラとの付き合いで、その表情が内心とは無関係だと知っている。どうでも良い話を非常に興味深い表情で聞くことも、非常に興味深い話をどうでも良い表情で聞くことも、そのどちらでもないことがあることも知っている。情報の価値をヴィオラの都合の良いように操作するための偽装だと知っている。
行動の判断の基準となる情報の価値をヴィオラに操作され、ヴィオラの意のままに動いてしまう者は多い。コルベはそれを知っていた。コルベは注意深く気を付けてヴィオラと話している。それすらもヴィオラの
「随分高評価ね」
「俺の主観だ。気になるなら自分で会って自分で判断してくれ。第一、ヴィオラは何であんな店を気にするんだ? スラム街に幾らでもある遺物代理店が1つ増えただけだろう。あの店にアキラが関わっているからか?」
「そういえば、あの店にアキラはいなかったの?」
「俺が行った時は見掛けなかった。どこかに隠れていたかもしれないがな。あの部屋は白いシーツが大量に垂れ下がっていたから、その裏にいた可能性はあるだろう。真相までは知らん」
「そう。まあ、私にもいろいろあるのよ。新たに増えた商売敵の情報を欲しがる人は多いとだけ言っておくわ。別に不思議はないでしょう?」
「......そうだな」
コルベはヴィオラの答えの裏に、隠れた別の理由を山ほど見る。それは幻視かどうかはコルベには分からない。勘違いかもしれないが、確かめる術はない。
「......用が済んだのなら俺は帰る。また何かあれば連絡してくれ。......確認しておくが、昨日俺があの店で買った遺物は俺の好きにして良いんだな?」
「あの調子だと、真っ当なハンター稼業への復帰は難しそうね。ま、それも生き方よね」
コルベに自分の依頼を受けさせるために、報酬を金ではなく旧世界の遺物にしたのはヴィオラだ。ヴィオラはコルベの真っ当なハンターに復帰したいという気持ちに付け込んでいた。
ヴィオラの情報端末に通話要求が届く。ヴィオラは情報端末を手に取って愛想良く答える。
「私よ。......ええ。情報はもう流したわ。......それは違うわ。私の仕事は情報を流して行為を促すまで。実際に行動に出るかどうかまではね。
までくると、静かな声で男に尋ねる。
「話が違うって、どういう意味だ?」
男はアキラの問いには答えずに、必死に許しを請う。
「か、勘弁してくれ! 俺が悪かった! 頼む!」
アキラは男に銃を突きつけて、再び男に尋ねる。
「俺の質問に、答えろ。話が違うってどういう意味だ? ......話すのなら、俺の回復薬を少し分けてやる。......死んでも話したくないのなら、死ね」
アキラの機嫌はかなり悪化していた。男がアキラの質問に答えなかった場合、それが恐怖による錯乱などで
男はアキラが本当に回復薬を分けたことにかなり困惑していた。だがその困惑もアキラが再び男に銃を向けたことで消し飛んだ。
「......情報を買ったんだ。大金を持っているくせに、ガキのスリに簡単に金を盗まれる間抜けって話だった。......金を盗まれたことに気付いてスリを追いかけても、後ろ盾の他のハンターに、それも子供のハンターに少し
その時のカツヤとの戦力差は絶望的で、アキラは不本意だが引き下がった。アルファが止めなければそのまま戦闘になり高確率で殺されていただろう。
その時のことを思い出したアキラが機嫌を一気に悪化させる。表情がどんどん冷たいものに、暗い怒気を感じさせる無表情に近いものに変わっていく。
「お、俺じゃない! 情報屋が! 情報屋がそう言ったんだ!」
アキラが静かな声で尋ねる。
「どうやって俺を探したんだ? 俺の写真でも見せてもらったのか?」
「......髪型とか、背丈とか、簡単な容姿を教えてもらった。......後は、かなりぼやけた写真を見せてもらった」
「話が違う。お前はそう言った。俺がそのカモだと思っていないと、そんなことは言わないんじゃないか?」
「そ、それは......」
男が言葉に詰まる。アキラは黙って男を見ている。恐怖に耐えきれなくなった男が表情を
アキラは男に銃口を突きつけたまま男をじっと見ている。男は引きつった表情でアキラを見ている。
アキラが急に銃を降ろした。男の表情に
き込みながら息を整えている。たまたま地面の方を見た時、そこにアキラに蹴飛ばされた拳銃が転がっていた。よろよろと立ち上がりながら、その拳銃を拾おうとする。
男の手が拳銃に届こうとした瞬間、銃声とともに拳銃が破壊されながら
アキラが黙って銃を下ろす。非常に不機嫌だ。カツヤと殺し合う直前で浮かべていた時と同じような表情を浮かべていた。
『アキラ。深呼吸』
アキラがアルファに言われた通りに深呼吸をする。深呼吸を何度も何度も繰り返す。
『落ち着いた?』
『......ああ。............悪かった』
アキラの中ではあの件は一度終わった話だった。少なくともアキラはそう思っていた。このまま何事もなく時間が過ぎていけば、そんなこともあったな、と本当に終わった話になっていただろう。
しかし話の続きを求める誰かの意思により、その話はアキラの中でも終わりではなく中断に、そして再開に変化した。
『今日はもうシェリルの所には行かずに帰った方が良いと思うわ。アキラがそんな不機嫌な状態だと、
『......いや、一応顔だけは出しておくよ。遅れても顔を出すって言ったしな。......それに、シェリルにちょっと頼みたいことができた』
表情を険しくしているアキラの脳裏には、事態の対処方法が浮かんでいた。
シェリルが自室で仕事をしていると、扉をノックする音がする。
アリシアが扉を開けてシェリルに伝える。
「ボス。アキラさんが来たわ」
シェリルがアリシアの方を見る。そこにはアリシアしかいない。シェリルが不思議そうに尋ねる。
アリシアが少し不安そうな表情で言う。
「......何だか知らないけど、アキラさんの機嫌が
アリシアはシェリルに事前にアキラの様子を伝えるためだけに、エリオに頼んで少しだけアキラを引き留めたのだろう。シェリルがそのことに気付いて表情を険しくする。
部屋を出て行くアリシアと入れ違いにアキラが入ってくる。アキラの様子を見たシェリルは、自分の顔が引きつるのを辛うじて回避した。
シェリルから見ても確かにアキラの機嫌はかなり悪い様子だ。アキラは自分が不機嫌であることを自覚した上で、それを無理に抑えるような表情をしていた。いつも通りであることを装い、それに失敗している表情だ。
シェリルはアキラとテーブルを挟んで向かい合って座っている。シェリルはどこか重苦しい空気を感じながらアキラへの対応を必死に思案していた。
シェリルは立場的にも心情的にもアキラに嫌われたくない。アキラはシェリル達の徒党の後ろ盾であり、徒党内でのシェリルの地位の後ろ盾だ。そのアキラに嫌われるとシェリルの立場は崩れ去る。アキラはシェリルの安心と自信の
に今のシェリルの様子に気付くことぐらいはできた。それだけシェリルに余裕がなくなってきたとも言える。
余裕を失いつつあるシェリルを見て、アキラは逆に少し余裕を取り戻した。アキラが話す。
「はっ、はい!?」
アキラはなるべくいつも通りの声を出すように注意しながら話す。
「......あー、その、何だ、ちょっとしたことがあって、俺は今かなり機嫌が悪い。それは自分でも分かっている。でもそれはシェリルに対して何か怒っているとか、そういうことは一切ないんだ。あと、気を付けるつもりだけど、機嫌が悪い所為で無意識にシェリル達に
アキラはそう言ってシェリルに軽く頭を下げた。
シェリルは少し驚いた表情を浮かべた後で、我に返ってすぐにアキラに優しげな笑顔を向ける。何とか落ち着きを取り戻して、同時に普段の
シェリルがそう答えると、アキラが思い出したように話す。
「そうだ。シェリル達に頼みたいことがあったんだ」
アキラは情報端末を取り出して少し操作した後、情報端末をテーブルに置いて表示画面をシェリルに見せる。画面にはアルナの姿が映っている。アキラから財布を盗んだスリの少女だ。
「彼女を見掛けたら教えてほしい」
自分に頼んで他の少女を探すことに、余り自覚したくない感情を抱いた。シェリルはそれに目を背けて、それはそれとしてアキラに確認する。
「彼女を探し出せば良いのですか? 彼女の名前やアキラとの関係など、彼女の情報をいろいろ教えていただければ探しやすくなります」
「名前は知らない。あと、彼女を探してほしいわけじゃない。シェリル達の普段の生活の中で彼女を見掛けたら教えてほしい。その程度の話だ」
「えっと、でもアキラは彼女を探しているわけですよね? 私達が彼女を見つけ出したら、アキラはどうするつもりですか?」
アキラがアルナを良い意味で探しているのなら、失礼にならないように丁寧に連れてくる必要があるだろう。逆に悪い意味で探しているのなら、多少手荒に扱っても問題ないだろう。どちらであってもアルナを探して連れてきた方がアキラからの評価はあがるはずだ。
しかしシェリル達がアルナを連れてくる手段は吟味が必要だ。仮にアキラがアルナを自分の恩人として探していたとして、シェリル達がアルナをかなり強引な手段で探し出して連れてきたりすれば、間違いなくアキラの機嫌を損ねることになる。
アキラがシェリルの質問に極めて端的に答える。
そう口にしたアキラ自身が少し驚くほどの冷たい声だった。
「......あと、そいつを無理に探して連れてこようとするのは止めておけ。そいつの友人かケツ持ちかは知らないが、ハンターが数人そいつを守っている。最低でも俺と同程度、恐らくその上の実力のハンターだ。俺はスリに遭ったことに気付いて追いかけたんだが、そのハンターに阻まれて金を取り返すことができなかった」
「ああ。だから止めておけ」
アキラはそのハンター達が自分より強いことをあっさり認めた。シェリルはその上でアキラがアルナを探すために自分達を使い潰す気はないことを理解した。シェリルはそのことを
アキラがシェリル達を助けているのは、アキラがシェリルの恋人だから。それ以外の理由を示すことができれば、シェリルの部下達も少しは安心するだろう。シェリルの部下達もまた、アキラに切り捨てられることを恐れているのだ。
シェリルが真剣な表情で答える。
「分かりました。皆には私から注意するように伝えておきます。連絡方法はどうしましょうか? 見掛けたらすぐに伝えられるようにすると言っても、皆が情報端末を持っているわけではありません。なるべく早く伝えられるように努力をするつもりですが......」
「いや、急がなくて良い。何日か置きに、あの日のあの時間にあの辺りにいた、その程度のことを教えてくれさえすれば良い。もうこの辺りにはいないかもしれないしな」
シェリルはアキラの話を聞いて少し意外に思う。殺すと言った時のアキラの声には、冷たく濃密な敵意が籠もっていた。しかし今のアキラの話を聞く限り、見つからないのならそれでも良いと考えている節がある。
(アキラの真意は不明だけれど、アキラの言う通りにした方が良さそうね。何かがアキラを葛藤させているのかもしれない。そこに下手に踏み込むのは......、残念だけど私にはまだ早いわ)
シェリルはアキラの内心に踏み込めるほどまでアキラとの仲を深めてはいない。シェリルはそれを改めて理解して僅かに表情を
「いえ、気にしないでください。機嫌の悪い時ぐらい誰にでもあります。私に八つ当たりして気が紛れるのなら幾らでもどうぞ。その代わり、後でたっぷり甘えさせてくださいね?」
「......あー、......まあ、好きにしてくれ」
After he left Carol, Akira headed to Sheryl's base.
Akira seemed to be in a good mood, noticing which, Alpha asked him a question.
"You seem to be pretty happy, was it really that fun talking with Carol?"
"Do I look really that happy right now?"
"Yup, I always kept my eyes on you, so I can easily tell."
"I see, well, it's true that it was fun. After all, I got to hear a lot of things about being a Hunter."
Alpha smiled gently after hearing Akira's honest answer.
"I see, that's good to hear. In that case, it might be a good idea for me to gather information around that subject to talk with you too."
Alpha said gently. On the surface, it was as if she was saying it was for Akira's sake, but behind it, she was only doing that for the sake of keeping him away from Carol.
Akira thought for a bit before replying.
"Hmmm. Well, to be honest, I learn more about common sense in the eastern district instead of knowledge about being a Hunter from you after all. I guess I want you to teach me about common sense first. After all, I don't even know where the Kugamayama city is located in the eastern district, so, you can teach me about being a Hunter later after that."
That man looked fearfully at Akira, who smiled at him in a good mood and said.
"You got really unlucky today trying to prey on me."
Akira still sounded like he was in a good mood when he said that, but he immediately delivered another kick after he said that. That man shrieked, slammed to the ground, and rolled over.
For Akira, that was the end of the incident, it was done, it was finished, he got stronger, he was no longer careless anymore. After he could confirm that, he just turned around and walked back toward the main street.
"...Goddammit, I didn't hear anything about this..."
Viola had an office hidden among the countless buildings in the Kugamayama city's lower district. Colbert was there with Viola that day.
She was sitting on a sofa and said to Colbert in a good mood.
Colbert was sitting not too far away from Viola and was able to clearly hear her invitation.
"No thanks."
Colbert's swift reply was more out of wariness rather than coldness toward Viola, but that did not ruin Viola's mood at all, she was still smiling like usual.
Colbert looked at Viola, who seemed to be in an excellent mood, and told himself to be careful not to get involved in any troublesome stuff that she had in mind as he said to her.
"So then, why did you call me today? Is there anything you don't like in the report that I gave you? Just so you know, I'm not going to return the reward."
"Nope, it's nothing about that at all. The report that you gave me was not bad. I just wanted to ask some stuff directly like what's your impression of that shop."
"I'm sure I wrote it in my report already, you didn't read it?"
"I did. But even if it's about the same subject, people usually give a different opinion when they're asked directly compared to what they wrote in a simple report, you know. Even when you do negotiation, you would rather meet the other party directly even if it was something that you could've taken care of with text messages, right? That's just how important the information that you can get just by talking directly. Or at least, for me, it's that important, you do know that, right?"
Whatever the case, Viola was the one who hired him. Colbert made that as an excuse to give up there.
"...Alright, so then, what do you want me to tell you this time?"
"A lot of things, for the starter, what kind of girl is this Sheryl?"
Viola asked Colbert about a lot of things and Colbert answered all of her questions. Most of them were about the same thing that he had already written in his report, while the rest were about some stuff that he thought to be unnecessary to be written in his report.
Viola was listening closely to Colbert, who had known Viola for a long time, at this point, he knew for sure that she had something completely different in her mind behind her outer expression. She sometimes looked deeply interested when she actually did not care at all, sometimes she looked like she did not care at all when she was actually really interested, and sometimes it was neither. Viola only showed an expression that would help her get more information.
Colbert knew that Viola had manipulated information in order to indirectly control other people multiple times in the past. So he took great care and was being very careful as he was speaking to her, but even after that, he was still doubting himself-wondering if he was already dancing to Viola's tune.
"You have a pretty good review on that shop."
"It's just my opinion. If you're questioning it, you can meet her and decide for yourself. In the first place, why are you interested in that shop? There are a lot of other similar shops in the slum city, right? Is it because Akira is involved?"
"Now that you mention it, did you see Akira there?"
"I didn't get to see him when I went there. He might have been hiding somewhere. That room was surrounded with white sheets, he might have been hiding behind one of those sheets, though I can't really say for sure."
"I see, well, I have a lot of interest in that shop. Let's just say that a lot of other shops are getting alerted by their new competitor. It's nothing strange at all, right?"
"...Well, if you say so."
Colbert could see Viola was hiding all kinds of stuff behind that excuse which she just gave. He could not tell if that was just his imagination or not since he might be mistaken, but he had no means to confirm it for sure.
"...If that's all, I'll head back home now. You can call me if you need anything else... One more thing though, I just want to make sure, it's up to me what to do about the relics that I bought yesterday, right?"
"Looking at how he acts, I don't think he can return back to being a normal Hunter at this point. But well, that's one way to live."
Viola was the one who offered to pay Colbert with relics rather than with money in order to lure him to accept that request from her, taking advantage of his wish to never return back to being a regular Hunter.
A call reached Viola's information terminal, she reached for her information terminal and said in a good mood.
"It's me... Yep, yep, I've spread the rumour... Nope, my job is only to spread the information around to incite the fire and it is done when the fire has already started burning. Of course, I don't mind going further, but it'll cost you more, you know...? If you don't want to pay me, then just wait. I did properly spread the rumour, so it's only a matter of time... Yes, well, later then."
Akira stopped right in front of that man and asked him with a calm voice as if he was whispering.
"What do you mean by that?"
But that man begged for forgiveness instead of answering Akira's question.
"P-please spare me!! I'm really sorry!!"
Akira prodded his rifle at that man and asked him once again.
"Answer. My. Question. What do you mean by what you said just now...? If you answer my question, I might give you some of my medicine... If you won't talk even under threat of a gun, then I'll be more than happy to grant you that wish."
Akira's mood had gotten considerably worse. Even if that man did not answer Akira's question because he could not organize his mind from the terror of the rifle that Akira was pointing at him, Akira would probably not care about that and just kill that man.
That man was confused and surprised that Akira really shared some of his medicine, but his confusion and surprise were blown away when he noticed Akira had already pointed his rifle at him again.
"...I bought that information. They said that there's a certain careless young Hunter who carries a lot of money but an easy target to pick... And that it would be fine even if I get caught since someone got caught in the past too, but when that pickpocket ran and hid behind another Hunter, that boy was scared and ran away... The rumour is basically saying that you're an easy target and that it'll be fine even if I get caught..."
At that time, their difference in power was just too big, although he was against the idea, Akira ended up backing off. If Alpha had not stopped him back then, it was almost certain that a fight would have broken out and Akira would have been killed in that fight.
Akira's mood immediately turned for the worst the moment he remembered that. His expression turned cold, although he was emotionless, a wave of dark and gut-wrenching anger could be felt welling out from him.
"I-It's not me!! It's the information from the information broker!!"
Akira replied with a calm voice.
"How did you find me? Did you see a photo of my face or something?"
"...They told me some descriptions like the hairstyle and body build... And also they showed me a blurry picture too."
"Didn't you say back there that you didn't hear anything about this? You didn't say that you mistook me for that easy prey, right?"
"T-that is..."
That man was lost for words. Akira fixed his gaze at that man without saying anything. That man could not bear the pressure and started to tremble as he begged Akira.
Akira stared down at that man with his rifle still pointing at him, and that man looked back at Akira with a puckered face.
Akira suddenly lowered his rifle. That man looked so relieved, but that was immediately proved to be premature.
That man was coughing while trying to calm his breath. When he was dropped from Akira's grasp, he saw his pistol, which Akira kicked from his hand, lying there on the ground near him. That man slowly stood back up and reached for his pistol.
The moment his hand reached his pistol, a gunshot echoed and his pistol was blasted off from his hand. That man could not help but turn at the source of that gunshot and saw Akira there with his AAH assault rifle aimed at him. Akira was the one who shot his pistol.
Akira silently lowered his rifle, he was now in a terrible mood. He had the same grim expression that he had when he was about to fight Katsuya.
"Akira, take a deep breath."
Akira took a deep breath just like Alpha told him to, he did that multiple times. After a few repetitions, he slowly calmed down.
"Are you good now?"
"...Yeah... Sorry."
For Akira, it was something that was already over. Or at least, that was what he thought. If nothing had happened, he would only have chuckled when he remembered about that. It was really something that was already over in his mind.
But it seemed that someone did not want to let him end it there, so in Akira's mind, it changed from 'already over' to a 'short pause', and now it was back 'on play' again.
"I think it's a good idea if you just head back home without visiting Sheryl's base today. It would be bad if something were to happen when you're in such a bad mood, you won't be able to try to defuse the situation, right?"
"...No, I'll at least visit her briefly. After all, I did promise her that I'll come even if it'll be rather late than usual... Moreover, there's something I want to ask Sheryl."
Akira's face turned tense again as he thought of what to do to solve this situation.
Sheryl was working in her private room when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Alicia opened the door and said to Sheryl.
"Boss, Akira-san is here."
Sheryl glanced at Alicia, who was alone. She then tilted her head and asked.
Alicia hesitated and looked rather worried.
"...I'm not really sure what happened, but it seemed that Akira-san is in a very bad mood right now. So, be careful."
Alicia asked Erio to hold Akira back for a bit so she could warn Sheryl about Akira's mood. Sheryl noticed that as she frowned.
As Alicia left the room, Akira came in. When Sheryl saw Akira's expression, she was barely able to maintain her expression from shrinking.
Even Sheryl could see clearly that Akira was obviously in a terrible mood. Akira knew his expression was leaking his emotions, so he tried his best to mend that. He tried his best to act casual but he completely failed in doing so.
She sat face to face with Akira on a table, she could clearly feel the heavy mood in that place. She was wringing all her brainpower to think what was the right thing to do there.
Both for the sake of her position in the gang and her own feelings, Sheryl did not want Akira to hate her. Akira was the main supporter of the gang as well as the reason why she could keep her position as the boss in the gang. If Akira came to hate her, her position would crumble. Akira was also Sheryl's psychological anchor, he was the place where she would lean to when she was mentally or spiritually exhausted. If Akira abandoned her, there was no doubt that she would break.
Although Akira was normally a dense boy, he was able to easily notice that change in Sheryl's expression, it showed just how desperate she was.
Looking at Sheryl, who was getting more and more desperate, it somehow calmed Akira a little. He then said to her.
"Y-yes!?"
Akira tried his best to sound like his usual self.
"...Well, uhh, something happened today and I'm not in a good mood right now. I know that myself, but it's not like I'm angry at you at all. And also, I'm trying my best here, but I'm sure that I might vent my anger on you, so I'll apologize in advance. I'm sorry, if I really end up venting at you, please just forget about it and don't let it bother you too much."
After he said that, Akira lightly lowered his head.
Sheryl was a bit surprised by that, but she immediately regained her composure and smiled gently at Akira. She was somehow able to calm down and regain her clarity. She thought that it would be less likely for Akira to get angry at her if she was the one who was on the listening side, so she encouraged Akira to continue.
When Sheryl said that, Akira looked at her as if he just remembered something.
"Ah, that's right, there's something that I wanted to ask you."
Akira took out his information terminal, clicked some buttons, and then placed it on the table so that Sheryl could see it too. Alna's picture was on that information panel, she was the pickpocket who stole his wallet.
"If you ever see this girl, I want you to inform me."
Akira did not show any interest even after he saw Sheryl naked, but now he was asking her to help him find another girl. Sheryl felt a bit dissatisfied by that. But she decided to put that for later and asked Akira.
"I just need to look for this girl, right? If you would tell us her name and her connection with you, we should be able to find her more easily."
"I don't know her name, and also, I don't want you guys to look for her. It's just that if any of you spot her, I want you guys to tell me."
"But like, you're looking for this girl, right? What do you plan to do to her after you find her?"
If it was nothing bad, then she needed to be careful not to do anything rude when she brought Alna to Akira. On the other hand, if it was the opposite, she could use force to capture that girl and that might help her win some points from Akira.
But Sheryl needed to be extra careful on how she would deal with Alna, if Akira was looking for her since she helped Akira before, then it would only cause Akira's mood to get worse if they treated Alna badly.
But Akira's answer to Sheryl's question was short and clear.
Akira's voice was so cold and heartless that it even surprised Sheryl.
"...And also, there's no need to kidnap her or use force. Although I'm not sure if they're just her friends or if they were just backing her up, she basically has some Hunters protecting her. And those Hunters are more or less as strong as me, or might be even stronger than me. I chased her when I noticed that she stole my wallet, but in the end, I couldn't get my money back because of those Hunters."
"Yeah, so there's no need to use force."
Akira casually admitted that those Hunters were stronger than him, and on top of it, Sheryl noticed that he had no plans to sacrifice the gang just to look for that girl. Although she felt happy about it, she also thought that they needed to get more useful to Akira. Showing that the gang was useful to Akira was an important milestone for the gang.
The only reason why Akira was helping the gang was simply because he was Sheryl's lover, there was no other reason. So if they could give Akira more reason to back the gang, it would definitely make the gang feel safer. After all, everyone in the gang was actually worried that they might be abandoned by Akira.
Sheryl replied with a serious face.
"I understand. I'll properly warn everyone. How should we inform you if we spot her? Even though you told us to inform you if we spot her, it's not like everyone in the gang has an information terminal. Of course, we want to help you as much as possible, but..."
"No, there's no rush. You can just tell me when and where you guys spotted her. After all, she might have moved to another area by the time that information reaches me."
Sheryl was a bit surprised by that, when Akira said that he will kill that girl, it sounded like he had a deep dark grudge on her, but from what he said just now, it sounded as if Akira did not really care that much even if they could not find that girl.
[I don't really understand what's on Akira's mind, but it's better if we do what he told us to. It might break into a fight, after all, if that's the case, we can't afford to get reckless... After all, unfortunately enough, we're not ready for something like that.]
Sheryl was not that close to Akira yet, she made a forlorn expression when she realized it.
"Please don't worry about it, everyone has their bad day. If it helps you out, you can vent as much as you want on me, I don't mind it. But of course, as a reward, I'll have you spoil me a lot later."
"... Ahhh... Well... You can do whatever you want."
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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