The pink-haired girl on the screen gave Kyokotsu a strangely warm and gentle yet artificial impression.
It was as if the girl displayed on the screen before her wasn't a real person, but something composed of unnatural elements.
This sense of abnormality reminded Kyokotsu of Hagoromo Gitsune, which was why she also felt a strange familiarity.
'Someone similar to elder sister?'
Realising this, Kyokotsu couldn't help but study Meer more closely.
At that moment, Meer—whose image only showed her head—shifted her gaze and cheerfully said:
"My, my, I didn't expect any newcomers to place orders with me today."
Every information booth operated by Meer retained codenames left by clients as proof of identity.
Since the two before her hadn't presented any credentials, they would be treated as newcomers regardless of whether they were regular clients.
Therefore, all procedures would follow the protocol for welcoming new clients:
"Well then, who referred you here?"
Upon hearing this, Minagoroshi Jizō promptly explained:
"We were referred by the tengu."
"The tengu? They actually sent business my way?"
Meer on the screen showed slight surprise before continuing with evident interest:
"It seems the information you're seeking is quite high-level."
"In that case, you should know the rules?"
"We do," Minagoroshi Jizō replied.
Observing this, Meer simply glanced at Minagoroshi Jizō and Kyokotsu before saying:
"Very well. Since you're not complete strangers, this simplifies matters."
"So, what information do you need from Tsubame here?"
At this, Minagoroshi Jizō composed himself and cautiously inquired:
"I'd like to know the reason behind the Metropolitan Police Department's frequent mobilisations in Tokyo recently."
The recent police actions were entirely due to the Hagoromo Group's kidnapping of a minister's family member.
Though Minagoroshi Jizō was directly involved with the Hagoromo Group, he couldn't bluntly ask the information dealer who was targeting them.
For one, he wasn't sure how much this neutral information broker, Tsubame Shim, actually knew. For another, he didn't want to reveal his affiliation with the Hagoromo Group, lest his own information be sold by the dealer.
Minagoroshi Jizō harboured no illusions about information dealers strictly keeping clients' secrets rather than reselling them.
Thus, this transaction was actually Minagoroshi Jizō's probe to gauge both the dealer's knowledge and capabilities.
"Information on recent police actions? Within one month or three months?" Meer pressed.
"One month," Minagoroshi Jizō answered, then added: "Complete operational details. Personnel summaries would be ideal."
Hearing this, Meer maintained her smile:
"$300,000 USD. Cash or goods accepted. Wire transfers can also be arranged."
As she spoke, a section of the wall slid open to reveal a one-metre-high cabinet.
"I'll pay in gold," Minagoroshi Jizō said, producing corresponding gold nuggets and placing them inside.
He knew the weight slightly exceeded requirements, but since it was Hagoromo Group funds, he didn't particularly care - it wasn't his personal savings anyway.
The cabinet retracted with the gold.
Receiving the weight confirmation from the management system, Meer then said:
"You've overpaid by about 10 grams. Shall we credit the difference?"
Hearing credit was possible, Minagoroshi Jizō glanced at Kyokotsu before replying:
"Put it on account."
Meer smiled. "Then please devise a codename for our records. Note that vulgar codenames are prohibited, and this establishment accepts no liability for consequences arising from inappropriate choices."
At this, Minagoroshi Jizō turned to Kyokotsu and said, "Miss, perhaps you'd choose the codename?"
As Hagoromo Gitsune had assigned Kyokotsu to oversee intelligence matters, the codename naturally fell to her - hence Minagoroshi Jizō's deferral.
"Me?" Kyokotsu blinked, then, after a moment, asked Meer through the screen: "Can it be... casual?"
"Certainly," Meer replied.
"Well then..." Kyokotsu seemed to have an idea, then looked meaningfully at Minagoroshi Jizō.
Seeing this, Minagoroshi Jizō's mouth twitched, and then he lowered his head. "I'll step outside momentarily."
After speaking, Minagoroshi Jizō was the first to enter the previous reception room, closing the door behind him with a click.
It was only then that Kyokotsu finally tore her gaze away from Minagoroshi Jizō and blinked before saying:
"The codename will be: 'Who Does Sister Love the Most?' And the password is 'It's me!' Is that alright?"
Meer chuckled at this. "Of course it is."
"Then, aside from the Metropolitan Police Department's operational intelligence for the next month, what other information would you like to purchase?"
Having said this, Meer suddenly paused, her expression shifting slightly as she added:
"Any intelligence can be purchased here, including... all the information about that old man who was just by your side."
Under the seductive tone of Meer's words, Kyokotsu's gaze flickered uncertainly.
...
On the highway.
Luo Shu, who was driving, glanced in the rearview mirror at Chika Fujiwara, who had just finished tidying up Kei Shirogane's apartment and was now fast asleep in the back seat on her way home.
At that moment, Luo Shu raised his hand and pressed his earpiece, saying:
"Members of the Hagoromo Group came to you to buy intelligence? Are you sure, Meer?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Meer's voice immediately came through the earpiece:
"The report from the smart management system over there can't be fake."
"Several intelligence shops in Akihabara are run by my image-based smart management system for selling information. If she reported them as Hagoromo Group members, they must have passed the internal identity verification."
"The ones purchasing the intelligence are likely the Hagoromo Group's senior executive, Minagoroshi Jizō, and Kyokotsu, who often accompanies Hagoromo Gitsune."
"Oh, and the one in charge seems to be Kyokotsu. When confirming the codename, Minagoroshi Jizō left the intelligence shop, leaving only Kyokotsu present."
"So, Luo Shu. Should we sell them the intelligence?"
Hearing Meer's question, Luo Shu smirked and said:
"Sell it. Not only sell it, but sell it big!"
"Meer, I'm giving you access to the Encyclopaedia. Sell them every piece of intelligence you can find related to the Hagoromo Group, Hagoromo Gitsune, and even Abe no Seimei!"
"Especially the intelligence on that Minagoroshi Jizō. Find a way to make Kyokotsu buy it and take it back for Hagoromo Gitsune to see."
"As for the rest, follow the usual procedure."
After hearing this, Meer didn't respond for a while. Only after five minutes did she say:
"That little girl has bought the intelligence."
"Good. Keep monitoring the Hagoromo Group closely."
With that, Luo Shu ended the call and began humming a tune, thinking to himself:
'Let me see what choice you'll make once you know the truth!'
'Don't disappoint me, Hagoromo Gitsune!'
Humming, he stepped on the accelerator, continuing to drive Chika Fujiwara towards the Fujiwara residence.