Chapter 163 - A Wise Person Does Not Fall in Love, Unless It Is Vermouth!
"On the outside, he looks like a child."
Renji spoke lightly, yet each word placed great pressure on Miyano Shiho's heart.
She grew increasingly worried that her true identity had already been discovered.
But Renji did not have that frightening aura, that unique breath belonging only to the Black Organization. On him, it did not exist at all.
"That's right, he looks like a child on the outside, but the soul is that of an adult!"
Sadako nodded in agreement. She had not thought deeply about it before, but after observing Miyano Shiho's soul, she realized it absolutely was not the soul of a child.
Sadako now understood that the child before her was far from simple.
"What do you mean?"
Miyano Shiho froze instinctively. Why had the topic suddenly shifted to her soul? Was this some kind of mysticism?
"Because this office specializes in handling supernatural events and all sorts of cases."
Since Renji had decided to keep Miyano Shiho, he naturally did not hide the nature of the agency.
In time, she would learn everything.
This world was fascinating in that, even if someone became small, their soul and other traits still revealed their true self.
"Soul? Don't joke with me. You're members of the Organization, aren't you?"
Such absurd reasoning, she simply could not accept. In her eyes, they were only lying to mock her.
"Organization? Us?"
Sadako looked confused, as if Miyano Shiho was speaking of something entirely different.
"Sadako, show her your ability."
Instead of more words, it was better for Miyano Shiho to witness Sadako's power herself. That way, she would stop questioning.
After seeing Sadako's ability, Miyano Shiho fell into a spiral of doubt about life itself.
All her years of living, and this was the first time she had ever seen something like a ghost!
Wait.
If ghosts truly existed in this world, did that mean she could also see her sister again?
She had once believed she would never see her sister again. But if souls remained, could her sister be lingering as a spirit, still watching over her?
Miyano Shiho looked around, only to feel disappointed. She saw no trace of her sister.
"So this world truly has ghosts?"
"Yes."
Renji nodded, easily seeing through her thoughts.
Perhaps Miyano Akemi really did continue to exist in this world as a soul.
"So you knew I was an adult?"
Miyano Shiho now believed Renji's words. Sadako's power was no trick; she really existed in spirit form. That moment when Miyano Shiho's hand had passed straight through Sadako's body, she had understood.
Her adult identity was no secret to these people.
"Don't ask such stupid questions."
Renji said helplessly. To still be asking after the truth was already revealed—had the shock lowered her intelligence?
"So, you look like a child, but your body is different from others?"
Sadako finally understood!
As Miyano Shiho shared parts of her story, Sadako stared at her like she had seen a ghost.
So this world was this dangerous?
"Very good. Since you have some ability, stay here and work at my agency."
"Hey, is it really okay to decide that so casually?"
Sadako looked at Renji, who spoke without asking Miyano Shiho's opinion at all.
"I agree!"
At first, Miyano Shiho had thought following them would only bring misfortune. But now she felt that perhaps with these people, the Black Organization would not dare to come after her.
No matter how powerful they were, against ghosts they might be powerless.
And she also realized that staying with them increased her chances of finding her sister's soul.
"Very well. So do you plan to attend school, or continue your research? Let me be clear, what I value is your skill as a scientist. I don't care whether you keep working on that drug, but I value your research ability."
Renji directly expressed what he desired from Miyano Shiho.
There was no need for falsehood. He was not approaching her out of pity. In the future, she would understand, so there was no reason to lie.
Miyano Shiho was surprised, yet also felt Renji was genuine. He openly stated that he valued her ability, instead of manipulating her into tasks. That honesty was disarming.
"I hope you can help me find my sister's soul, if she still exists in this world."
Since Renji had made a request of her, she also made one of him.
She would offer her research ability in return, whether on APTX4869 or anything else within her expertise.
But her condition was that Renji must help her find her sister.
"Agreed!"
It was a reasonable condition. As long as her sister's soul still existed, helping her find it was possible.
[Ding! Fate of Miyano Shiho has been altered. Reward: one lottery chance.]
Use.
[Ding! Lottery successful. Congratulations, you obtained: Red Magic.]
Great!
Last time he had drawn the Demonic Cultivation Constitution, and now came Red Magic. Was this not essentially a replica of Koizumi Hongzi being granted to him?
Still, it was acceptable—at least it was not something useless.
Collecting his thoughts, Renji turned back to Miyano Shiho. "Now, you have two choices. The first is to adapt to your current identity and attend school. The second is not to go to school, and simply remain at the agency."
Renji did not insist she attend school.
Whether she stayed or studied, the decision was hers.
"My identity is troublesome."
Unlike in the anime where she had no choice, in truth Miyano Shiho did not wish to go to school.
"I don't want to study anymore."
By age, she would have to start over in elementary school. She had no desire to play at such a childish life.
She would rather stay here, research the drug to change back, and perhaps assist Renji in his studies as exchange for finding her sister.
"Also, I need a new identity."
Her old identity could no longer be used. For this, she needed Renji's help.
"That's not a problem. A new name?"
"Haibara Ai."
Ah.
So it was the same as in the anime.
Renji shrugged and did not object.
The next day, Renji carried Haibara Ai's file and photo to the police station, preparing to register her new identity.
"Miwa, you seem a little off lately, don't you?"
"What else could it be? Just those thieves!"
Sato Miwako gritted her teeth as she spoke. Recently she had been constantly investigating that phantom thief. A man who used the police headquarters as a springboard to fame—her heart was filled with anger, and she swore to bring him to justice.
Just appearing once had already earned him many fans.
As a police officer, this was precisely the type of person she despised the most! Yet as she delved deeper into the investigation, Sato Miwako realized just how well the man had hidden himself.
She had absolutely no information on him.
"That thief? You really have been racking your brains over this guy lately!"
Yumi teased her. From the looks of it, Sato Miwako seemed awfully concerned about that phantom thief.
"He's just a thief. Don't you think people nowadays are sick in the head?"
Sato Miwako muttered irritably. Why did a thief have so many fans?
"Indeed. What's so great about worshipping a thief?"
"You think so too?"
Sato Miwako nodded, but suddenly noticed the voice was not Yumi's. She turned sharply and saw a tall, fair young man smiling at her. "Officer, could you tell me where to handle identity registration?"
"Over there."
Yumi, lovestruck, pointed toward a building, her eyes never leaving Renji.
So handsome!
"Thanks."
Renji turned away, a faint smile at the corner of his lips. Looked like he had attracted the attention of the police.
"So handsome!"
Yumi shook Sato Miwako's arm repeatedly. Sato Miwako gave her a speechless look. "Hey, hey, cut it out. He's already gone."
Still, she could not deny the man was indeed handsome.
"You don't get it. If I had met him when I was young, he would have been my one true love! Wonder which woman will end up with him."
Yumi ignored Sato Miwako's tone, cupping her face with a sigh.
"Then why didn't you go for him?"
"Please, I'm already an auntie. How could I?"
Yumi complained. She was too old now, and besides, a handsome man like that might not even look her way.
"Alright, let's get back. I still need to investigate that guy's information. Next time, I must catch him!"
"You're obsessed, truly obsessed!"
Sato Miwako's words made Yumi realize her friend had fallen into an endless loop, determined to catch him no matter what.
"Heh, isn't that what being a police officer is? I just can't stand seeing criminals get so much praise."
"Yes, yes. Well, I hope you catch him soon then!"
Yumi knew Sato Miwako's nature and said no more. Still, the guys at headquarters would likely complain again—when Sato Miwako buried herself in a case, they rarely saw their goddess.
Meanwhile, Renji finished registering Haibara Ai's identity, then took her shopping for some necessities. His wallet felt emptier than ever. Looked like he needed to wring something out of someone useless soon.
He could only rely on Gin delivering money that night.
To Renji, Gin was now nothing more than a money courier.
At eight o'clock.
At the great clock tower, Renji, dressed in black with red clouds, arrived right on time.
"Don't move."
A pistol pressed against his back, the cold female voice tinged with amusement.
"So, not everyone's a fool."
Renji was slightly surprised. He had thought Gin could not crack his code.
That the one here was Vermouth was unexpected.
"A clock tower that controls time—of course, that's the biggest clock tower in Mihua. Your code wasn't that clever."
Vermouth had only just solved the riddle herself, realizing the meeting place when she saw the tower.
"We're supposed to be partners. Is it necessary to greet me with a gun?"
"No choice. Two options: join us, or I kill you right here."
Click.
The gun was loaded. Yet Renji sensed no killing intent from Vermouth. Was she testing him?
"But…"
Renji moved instantly, snatching the gun from Vermouth before she even reacted. He dropped the bullets one by one to the ground. "Competing in hand speed with a thief? That's underestimating me."
…
So fast!
A flash of shock crossed Vermouth's face. She had received special training, yet he had disarmed her before she could even respond.
"Because of your lack of trust, I'm raising my fee by thirty percent."
"Fine."
Vermouth smirked. It wasn't her money anyway—it would come from Gin. She didn't mind.
In fact, she was growing curious about Renji.
"So what's the mission?"
Renji didn't dwell on the matter. He was waiting to take money from Gin to cover household expenses.
After all, his agency produced nothing, and everyone relied on him alone.
"Steal a gemstone."
"Again with gemstones? Your organization really does love them."
Last time had also been about a gemstone.
But remembering that eternal life was linked to a gemstone, Renji grew curious. What kind of gem could grant immortality?
"So tomorrow night?"
"Yes, but I'll need to send a notice first."
Style!
A phantom thief needed style!
If he said he would steal, then he would announce it. Not sneak in silence, but declare it—guard it all you want, he would still take it.
"What a quirk!"
Vermouth laughed, tossing her hair. Why phantom thieves had such eccentricities, she could not understand.
Renji studied Vermouth deeply. Now he finally understood why people said a wise person never falls in love—unless it is with Vermouth.
"So this time, you're here to watch over me?"
"Who told you to anger him so badly last time?"
Vermouth remembered Gin's nearly explosive rage. She almost wanted to laugh.
She had never seen Gin lose composure before, and now this man had driven him to that point.
And speaking of him—she was curious about the face hidden under that mask.
(End of Chapter)
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