Chương 95: Chapter 26 The People of Chiyoda (Part 2)

"Loading complete!"

"Good. Set the vehicle's destination toward the area around the Chiyoda residence. Once we get close, I'll blow the roof off the car. After that, oppose me with everything you've got. You're Gate-weapon smugglers who are supposed to get caught."

"How we gonna handle our backstory, boss?"

"Isn't it obvious? The corruption of the person who gave you the orders. Gate weapons sell for a high price overseas."

"... Gotcha." They had started talking like low-level thugs, but that was fine. As for my own appearance, I was still wearing the same suit I'd had on since morning. Gothic lolita guys, I hope they realize that clothes don't matter anymore. Seriously, I can't stand looking at it... Tough guys and muscular guys. All of them wearing gothic lolita... Anyway, I'd better send Chiyoda an email. > Crime deterrence operation will commence shortly. Remain at your residence.

Special Designated Harmful Beast Countermeasures Headquarters, Chief Chloe. No reply necessary. That should do it. I turned off my smartphone and would keep it off until everything was over. I took a puff from my kiseru. I feel like the punishment for that faceless whoever-it-is is getting heavier and heavier, but well, they get to keep their lives. Cheap, cheap.

"Almost there, boss."

"Understood. Then let's do it. After the explosion, park the car safely, then improvise your hostility. No holding back."

"Got it, boss!" I didn't know how many reporters would be there, and I didn't think this alone would deter every crime. Still, when you take action, other things begin moving along with it. If so, this is a touchstone. BOOM! The roof of the vehicle flew off. The roof was reduced to charred scraps, while the vehicle itself came to a safe stop. No one was injured. No damage.

"You bastard! You did that!? Surround her! Kill her!"

"Damn, what a waste... But we've got no choice!"

"Wait! Is that First!?" The surroundings... Good! A helicopter was flying overhead. Then they were filming this. I gave the nameless men a look and had them call out my name. After that, all that was left was to beat them up appropriately and finish the job.

"You guys, sorry, but I'm placing you under arrest on suspicion of smuggling weapons from inside the Gate."

"Hah! Like we're gonna let you!" The man who charged at me was a martial artist. As expected of an active professional, his movements were sharp. A jab and a hook after a step in. Boxing style, huh? Akamine uses karate, and seeing other fighting styles made me think about the possibilities.

"Wet and taken, tripped and buried. Oh, dear, where could your feet have gone?" I turned the ground into mud, literally taking away his footing. Boxing relied on footwork. Then his movements would be impaired on mud. Taking advantage of my small frame, I slipped inside his guard and struck him under the chin.

"First one down. You there, that's seriously dangerous." Whether it was an expression of trust or an answer to my full power, one of them pulled out a toy revolver. A gunner, huh? A toy was cute enough, but its power wasn't. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. After all, that thing could kill monsters.

"Shut up! If we don't take you down, we're dead!" I couldn't let him pull the trigger. There was no helping it. I'd take his arm. It was fine. Once I put it back into place, it would return to normal immediately.

"Huh?"

"You've got it wrong, don't you? Magic doesn't require chanting. Of course, if you want to chant, you can. It might help you visualize what you're trying to do." I puffed on my kiseru. The image was compressed air, striking his elbow directly from the side and dislocating it. The gun fell from his limp hand. That neutralized him. Now, what path would the last one choose? Surrender was perfectly acceptable, too.

"Second one. What are you going to do? You can surrender if you want." For the moment, I simply glared at him. It wasn't particularly frightening, but I hoped it would at least work as intimidation. Perhaps my intentions got through, because the last man raised his hands and surrendered. Hmm. Maybe I had managed to show a little dignity after all. In the distance, I could hear patrol cars, while reporters were closing in. As expected of Tokyo, their response was fast.

And in the distance stood Chiyoda, his hair parted in a neat side part, wearing a summer vest. No. Right now, he was Masuda.

"First-shi, what exactly led to this incident?"

"It looked like combat in the middle of the city. Who are these men?" Various questions flew at me from the reporters. Well, I hadn't appeared in public very often, and seeing me take action against human beings probably looked like something new, too. It probably did look that way. But I'd put on the collar, so I might as well make them see this through to the end.

"Please, quiet down.

"This action was carried out by me, Chloe=First, Chief of the Special Designated Harmful Beast Countermeasures Headquarters. These men were suspected of smuggling weapons from the Gate overseas, so I tracked their vehicle and secured the criminals.

"As for the Special Designated Harmful Beast Countermeasures Headquarters, it is still only at the planning stage. From here on, however, it will become a state organization responsible for managing and operating Sweepers.

"That is all."

"First-shi! Just one word! Please, just one word!" One word, huh? If I had to give them one, this would be it. Since they had stopped me, I took a puff from my kiseru, exhaled the smoke, and opened my mouth.

"I have no intention of forgiving criminals.

"Especially when it comes to crimes committed by Sweepers, I will respond through action." Leaving those words behind, I flew into the sky. Well, doing this much should change my image at least somewhat! I flew around at random and then followed Chiyoda, whom I spotted below. Hmm. So that was his house. After confirming that he had gone inside, I descended in front of the entrance. Now then, I wonder how Chiyoda will react. Ding-dong.

"Yes~?" I waited in front of the intercom camera. My clothes weren't disheveled. My hair wasn't out of place. The hem of my skirt was neat.

"Um, you're First-san, right? Did you need something...?"

"Sorry for coming so late at night. Is Ryuichi Masuda-san home? He was supposed to deliver my belongings the other day, but it seems he left something in the car, so I came to pick it up." The person who came out was a strong-willed-looking woman. She was probably Chiyoda's wife. She was dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans. At her feet stood a little girl holding a doll, probably around first-grade age.

"First-chan?"

"Hey there! I'm Chloe=First. Nice to meet you. Your dad has been a big help to me." I gently patted her head. She narrowed her eyes happily. I used to pat Haruka's head a lot, too. Haruka was energetic, but there was a lonely side to her. Nayuta, on the other hand, was spoiled and affectionate, but surprisingly strong-willed at heart.

"Wow! The real First! Show me magic!"

"Asami! Stop that! I'm sorry, she's always like this..."

"Not at all. Well then, young lady. Nothing in this hand. Hello, squeeze and open, catch a dream. A sweet, sweet dream of happiness. One candy, here you go." I produced a piece of candy I had bought at the shop earlier from the palm of my hand. Since it was already night, I avoided giving her a whole bag. If she got cavities, it would only lead to unpleasant feelings.

"Wow! Amazing! It really is magic! Thank you for the candy!"

"You're welcome. Now, about my belongings...?"

"Ah, um... I'm sorry. I suspected my husband and opened the package. I'm truly sorry..." She kept bowing her head as she apologized. It was only underwear, so it wasn't really a problem. Might as well give Chiyoda some praise here.

"No, no. I rely on him for things like delivering my clothes. Besides, you see... Until recently, a lot had happened, and I couldn't even comfortably go outside. Your husband has been very good to me."

"That stiff man... did all that?"

"He hasn't been home much lately, so I got suspicious. What am I going to do...?" Unexpectedly, his wife might be rather scatterbrained and prone to jumping to conclusions. Behind her stood Chiyoda, wearing a sour expression.

"Saori, you only need to apologize normally.

"Chloe-san, I'm sorry you had to come all this way so late at night. I've prepared replacement items.

"It's late, Saori. I'll take her home."

"All right. I'm sorry, dear. During the Akihabara incident, you went out and didn't come home, too. I thought maybe you'd found a mistress... I'm really sorry."

"I understand. It's fine. Just trust me more from now on...

"Chloe-san, let's go."

"First-chan, bye-bye!"

"Bye-bye, Asami-chan. Make sure to brush your teeth properly." A close-knit family, huh... I had met my wife, but I still hadn't met my children. Haruka had left home, but she was still close enough to be in the neighboring prefecture.... Maybe I should go home once. It had been a long time since I'd gone to a hot spring. Relaxing back home for a while might be nice, too. I got into the car, rolled down the window, and puffed on my kiseru.

"So, what was all this about this time? I invited you to my home, and I even sent someone to pick you up at the Self-Defense Forces hospital."

"I can only assume Chiyoda was made to run wild." Hearing that, Chiyoda's face went pale. Well, we had a good relationship, but it was a business-like one where neither of us stepped over the other's boundaries. Or perhaps this was a loss of trust caused by his own organization running out of control.

"Chloe, I..."

"No, Chiyoda-san. You don't need to say anything beyond that.

"The relationship between you and me is at the best distance right now. If we get too close, we'll both become unable to do the things we're capable of doing.

"We're adults. A lie doesn't necessarily equal insincerity, does it?" Chiyoda fell silent for a while after hearing my words. After some hesitation, he finally opened his mouth. His voice was no different from the one I always heard during meetings.

"I understand. However, whoever gave the order this time needs to be dealt with quickly. What is the situation?"

"It was a hijacking of the operation, starting with the HiAce carting me away.

"The mastermind behind this will probably resign.

"Still, I managed to promote the headquarters, show that I'm not some eccentric, and make it clear that I take a firm stance against criminals.

"The beginning was rough, but the result was excellent." I puffed on my kiseru. This time, things had fortunately turned out well. But I never wanted to be kidnapped again. If it were only me, that would be one thing. But if my wife or family became targets, then whoever was responsible would definitely have to receive consequences appropriate to what they had done. In that sense, taking a strict stance against criminals would probably have some deterrent effect.

It was only deterrence, but there was still a difference between doing something and doing nothing.

"For now, thank you for everything this time. I was able to accomplish quite a few things myself."

"No, no. It was nice to see a family again after such a long time."

"I see." By the time Chiyoda said that, the hotel was already right in front of us. This time, I finally received the underwear and went into my room. My wife was lounging around watching television. But stop. I really don't want you watching me on television...