Chapter 318: Triple Kill
Trigger left. Just before she did, Kenji saw the indicator light on her mask turn purple, which represented melancholy.
As expected of you. You seem a bit disappointed that Phaethon didn't... do anything to you.
It just goes to show, the charm of the Stringer, Phaethon, is just too great. A calm sniper like her is just a rookie in front of them.
In the story, when the Stringer was confined and his communications cut, Trigger almost said what she was really thinking: "That's just great."
"Sorry about that, she's a friend of ours," Rin said, embarrassed.
We thought it was an unknown enemy, but it was just an old acquaintance.
"As long as it's nothing, we were worried someone was targeting you two," Riu Tsukishiro said.
"That's unlikely. Here in Section 6, the only people targeting us are probably from the electric company."
Tetsu and Rin exchanged a look, both smiling bitterly.
Their "AI-diot" (Fairy) was useful, but it was a massive power hog. They'd been questioned by the power grid multiple times about what they were doing with so much electricity.
Sigh, you just have to love and hate it.
"Is it stealing electricity?" Kenji asked, feigning ignorance.
The "cabbage head" Ai-chan from Honkai Impact 3rd also seems to like stealing electricity. Do all AIs share this hobby?
(Ai-chan: Is it 'stealing' if an AI does it?)
"Managers, if you have a 'power thief,' you can call the peacekeepers." Riu Tsukishiro didn't overthink it, nor did she take the case. It wasn't under Task Force 6's jurisdiction.
"My old classmate, Zhu Yuan, is very reliable," Miyabi Hoshimi said.
To be honest, the "cereal" siblings had considered it (stealing power). All the money they earned went to paying Fairy's electric bill.
"No need." The two shook their heads. Calling the authorities was out of the question. Fairy was very useful, but the AI was involved in too many things. If it were exposed, they would face a lot of trouble.
Their own identities were sensitive enough. They didn't want to get mixed up in any more trouble.
"Um... is this gentleman a new member of Task Force 6?" Rin asked curiously.
Riu Tsukishiro smiled. "No. He's our Chief's future husband."
A mature 'big sister' type... as expected, she has a mischievous side.
Miyabi Hoshimi blushed, shooting Riu Tsukishiro a glare, but she didn't refute it.
"Whoa~!" Rin's eyes lit up with gossip. Miyabi wasn't a star, but her popularity was just as high, with countless fans.
If this news got out, all of New Eridu would have an earthquake.
But it was more likely that Kenji would become the "public enemy" of all men.
Tetsu was surprised, but he was also thinking, Is this something we're allowed to know?
Against the Hollow Hunter Miyabi Hoshimi, what are our chances? How long could we last?
Better to just stay silent.
"Is he... marrying into the family?" Rin asked curiously.
The Hoshimi family was a major clan. It was a possibility.
Kenji had black lines on his forehead. "No. Do you think the head of the Hoshimi family would just casually recruit a son-in-law?"
Souichiro only has Miyabi. He would never interfere in her relationships or set up arranged dates. He'd be fine even if she stayed single forever.
"Riu, I think this video store needs to be thoroughly investigated," Miyabi Hoshimi said in an official tone, definitely not holding a personal grudge.
Riu Tsukishiro nodded, backing up her Chief.
"Ahem! We're all friends here, no need to joke like that," Rin laughed awkwardly.
Some things... don't hold up to scrutiny.
If someone's getting 'invited for tea,' it should be my brother. He has a better mentality for it anyway.
Tetsu: ?
...
After Kenji and the others left, the "cereal" siblings sighed in relief. Being cornered by Task Force 6... anyone else would have collapsed in fear.
"What would happen if we smashed Hollow Zero?" On the way, Kenji turned and looked calmly at the conspicuous Hollow.
"It's better not to. Many things from back then still need to be investigated," Miyabi Hoshimi shook her head.
Before joining the chat group, she had wanted to investigate it deeply, but her father stopped her.
At that time, her strength wasn't enough. Ethereals have ten levels. Who could guarantee there wouldn't be a Level 8 or higher Ethereal in the depths of Hollow Zero?
The answer is: there definitely is. Going in back then would have been a death sentence. But now... she has the power to cut it open.
Riu Tsukishiro was speechless. I feel like I'm not on the same channel as you two.
Hollow Zero caused the fall of the old capital. It's the most mysterious and dangerous of all the Hollows.
Soukaku was just happily eating, not a care in the world. She had no interest in this topic.
"Chief, it's getting late. Are you two staying at my place?"
"..." Miyabi Hoshimi thought for a moment, then shook her head. "It's not appropriate to stay at your house with a man. We'll head back."
She had run out with Kenji earlier just to get some air; otherwise, she would have been too embarrassed.
"It's no bother to me, but Chief, you can decide."
"Soukaku, let's go."
"Goodbye, Chief! Goodbye, Big Brother (Da Guo) Kenji!"
Riu Tsukishiro left, holding Soukaku's hand. What a gentle 'big sister' type.
Seeing this, Kenji felt a bit emotional. If Task Force 6 didn't have Riu Tsukishiro, they'd probably be a total mess.
"What are you emotional about?" Miyabi Hoshimi asked curiously.
"Just thinking that if you guys didn't have Riu Tsukishiro, you'd all be running around in a panic, right?" Kenji didn't hide it and said what he was thinking.
"Riu is indeed very capable, but... we're not that bad, are we?" Miyabi Hoshimi puffed her cheeks, looking at Kenji indignantly.
Her 'robotic' feeling vanished, replaced by a more girlish liveliness.
What does he mean, we'd be in a panic without Riu? We're not children!
"Oh-ho? Is that so?"
"Soukaku needs Riu Tsukishiro to take care of her, right?" Kenji started listing examples.
Miyabi Hoshimi nodded. Soukaku is an Oni, and while strong, her personality is a bit too innocent.
First Blood.
"Yuma Asaba is always trying to take time off, right?"
Yuma's health is really poor, the kind where something could happen at any moment.
Miyabi Hoshimi's expression wavered. She nodded awkwardly; she knew about that too.
Double Kill.
"Logically, as the Chief of Task Force 6, you should be responsible for many things, like meetings and reports. But... it seems Riu Tsukishiro handles all of that."
Triple Kill.
With the "Triple Kill" served up, Miyabi Hoshimi's fox ears drooped. Kenji... has a point.
Thinking about it... if they didn't have Riu, they really would be in a panic. At least, things wouldn't be as orderly as they are now.
Riu, it's so good to have you in Task Force 6.
Miyabi Hoshimi thought to herself. If Riu wasn't here... it would be hell! No! I don't want that!