After seeing the two women off into the car, Aiden headed back to the shrine. He needed to prepare for this long trip and also inform the Kagura sisters.
What he didn't know was that on the way to Kyokugenryu, a conversation took place between Mai and Yuri.
"By the way, Yuri, what does that person named King look like?" On the car, Mai asked with a bit of concern.
This was something she only remembered after getting in the car. She had been so focused on reminding Aiden to be careful that she forgot to tell him not to flirt around… or rather, not to mess with other women.
Yuri thought for a moment, recalling her impression from when she met King, then nodded. "Very handsome."
"Handsome?" Hearing that word, Mai froze for a moment. Handsome, wasn't that usually used to describe men?
Yuri could easily tell what Mai was worried about and smiled. "Yeah, very handsome. Short blond hair, likes to wear men's clothes, long legs, but you can't tell her chest size."
"Sounds like a tomboy." Mai pouted, but her heart relaxed a lot.
"Mm, you're not wrong, but next time you see Sister King, Mai, you definitely can't say that to her. Even though she likes men's clothes, she's a proper woman." Yuri reminded her.
"I know, I know." Mai rubbed her head with a grin.
———
When he got back to the shrine, Aiden went straight to his bedroom. There wasn't much he needed to bring, just a few changes of clothes, all of which the Kagura sisters had bought for him.
There was even a kimono among them, but Aiden definitely didn't plan on wearing that, so naturally, he wasn't bringing it.
Then, he pulled out his phone and called Maki.
"Aiden, how come you suddenly thought to call me at this hour?" Maki's voice was filled with pleasant surprise.
'Missed me?'
'Probably!'
That's what Maki thought.
But...
"There's something I need to tell you."
Aiden hesitated a bit before saying, "I might have to go to Country F, to look for someone."
"Ah?"
On the other end, Maki froze, then immediately asked, "Aiden, how long will you be gone? Will you come back?"
That was what she was most worried about.
"Of course I'll come back. I'm just going to find someone. As for how long… that depends on my luck. If I'm lucky and find her right away, it might only take a few days…"
At this point, Aiden stopped. He suddenly realized, Country F was so big. How long would it take him alone to find King?
He'd been so focused on helping Yuri feel better that he completely forgot about this biggest problem.
So he continued, "Maki, can I trouble you for something?"
"Aiden's business is my business. How could it be trouble?" Maki immediately guessed what he wanted to say.
"You want me to have the Intelligence Division help you find her, right?"
"Impressive, Maki." If it weren't for the fact that it was over the phone, Aiden would've given her a thumbs-up.
"Because… our hearts are in sync…"
'Nice,' Aiden was definitely charmed.
The shrine maiden's flirting level wasn't low at all.
Then Maki said again, "Aiden, please tell me the name, gender, and characteristics of the person you're looking for. I'll have the European branch's Intelligence Division start moving immediately."
"Alright." Aiden nodded.
"Her name is King, female, blonde, likes to wear men's clothing, dresses with a neutral style, and owns a bar in Country F…"
Then Aiden listed off King's information. He could clearly hear Maki repeating the details softly to herself.
When he finished, he heard her say to her subordinates, "That's all the information. Contact the European branch immediately and have them start the search right now. I want this person's location found before Aiden arrives in Country F."
Her voice was cold and authoritative, it surprised Aiden a little. He hadn't expected the usually gentle and easygoing shrine maiden to have such a commanding side.
"Aiden, when are you planning to leave?" After giving her orders, Maki asked again.
"Probably need to wait a bit. I just finished packing," Aiden scratched his head. "I still need to go find Yumiko for the airline."
"No need for that. The Kagura family has a private jet. I'll go tell Yumiko right now and have her drive you to the airport."
"Maki, you're really going to all this trouble for me."
"I told you not to be so formal."
With a light scolding tone, Maki continued, "But Aiden, once you find her, you must come back early."
"And when you land, remember to contact me. I'll also have the head of the European branch assist you with anything you need."
"Oh, and be careful on the way. Country F's public security has never been good…"
"And most importantly, Aiden, don't go to those kinds of dirty places."
"How could I possibly!" Aiden said helplessly. It really sounded like the kind of reminder a wife gives her husband before he goes on a trip.
"It's just because I'm worried. Europe's atmosphere is so… open."
"Relax, relax. With you all waiting for me at home, why would I need to look elsewhere?"
Hearing that, Maki froze for a second, then smiled like a blooming flower. "Mm, we'll be waiting for you at home."
With Maki's help, Aiden naturally didn't need to ask Yumiko to book his flight anymore. Before long, he left with Yumiko for the airport.
On the way, Aiden got a call from Chizuru. What she said was almost identical to Maki's, aside from reminding him to be careful, she also told him not to flirt around.
When the call ended, they had already arrived at the airport. The luxurious jet emblazoned with the Kagura family crest was ready to go. In just a few dozen minutes, Maki had arranged the crew and secured the flight route.
The Kagura family's thousand-year heritage seemed even more impressive than he'd imagined.
There was no security check, no paperwork, no boarding pass, and no waiting area. Skipping all those tedious steps, the plane soon took off.
There wasn't much to say. After more than ten hours, the plane landed in Paris.
Getting off the plane, Aiden took out his phone to call Maki while walking toward the airport exit. There, he saw a group of clearly Japanese-looking people standing by the exit, one of them was even holding a sign with his name on it.
After chatting a bit more with Maki, Aiden hung up and walked toward them.
"Are you Mr. Aiden?" A middle-aged man in a suit, looking like the person in charge, immediately came forward.
"That's me." Aiden nodded.
In fact, this middle-aged man had already received a fax from headquarters in advance, but just to be sure. Seeing Aiden nod, he immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you for your hard work."
Then he straightened up and said respectfully, "My name is Shinichiro Kudo. You can just call me Shinichiro. Mr. Aiden, please come with me first."
"The young lady has already arranged a hotel for you. Your attendants, bodyguards, and maids are already there waiting. Also, please don't worry about your operational funds, all expenses are fully covered by us."
'Such a grand arrangement, huh?'
Aiden twitched the corner of his mouth. He was here to find someone, not for a vacation.
But he didn't say anything, just nodded and followed Shinichiro out of the airport.
Although really, it was less that Aiden followed Shinichiro and more that Shinichiro followed Aiden, the man's attitude was extremely humble, always walking half a step behind.
At the same time, Shinichiro flattered him, saying, "Mr. Aiden, you're truly handsome and refined. No wonder you've earned the admiration of both the young lady and the second lady."
"You flatter me. Besides, Maki and Chizuru are just good friends of mine," Aiden replied casually, though he thought to himself, there's definitely some hidden meaning in his words.
But in Shinichiro's mind, 'Good friends? Who are you fooling? Would the Kagura family's eldest and second daughters go to such lengths for a mere 'friend'? From your takeoff to your landing, over ten hours, they've been calling every half hour.'
Still, as a proper Japanese salaryman, Shinichiro kept his fake smile and nodded. "You're too modest."
By now, Aiden, Shinichiro, and the others who came to pick him up had reached the car convoy parked nearby. Shinichiro quickly stepped forward to the car in the middle and opened the door for Aiden.
"Please get in."
"…"
It was Aiden's first time being treated with such high-class courtesy, leaving him a little speechless. He gave a small nod and got into the car.
Once the door closed, Shinichiro sat in the front passenger seat, gave the driver an order, then handed a document folder back to Aiden.
"Mr. Aiden, here's the information you requested."
"Thanks."
Aiden took it and opened it casually.
And he had to admit, the Kagura family's Intelligence Division was efficient. In just a dozen hours, they'd gathered a detailed profile on King.
Not only the address of her bar, but even her family situation, including the hospital where her sick younger brother was staying.
They'd even listed King's body measurements.
"86, 56, 85… wow, her figure's even better than the Kagura sisters'!"
"But wait, you can't tell at all from her appearance. Did she wrap it up with cloth or something?"
Aiden looked again at the photo, King, in her neutral outfit, had a completely flat chest.
Shaking his head slightly, Aiden put the file away, then closed his eyes to rest, answering Shinichiro's endless flattery with short, half-distracted replies.
Just like that, before long, Aiden arrived at the hotel where he'd be staying.