The banquet next Saturday was the perfect opportunity to deal with Ben Hermann.
Vermouth estimated that if they missed this chance, the cunning Hermann would soon be relocated by the Mafia to a place beyond the Organization's reach. After that, killing him would be nearly impossible.
Vermouth had already arranged the identity for Gojo's female disguise: Hayley Grace, the adopted daughter of Lady Grace—one of Vermouth's own Italian aliases, a wealthy widow who had inherited a vast fortune from her husband.
This identity was high-status enough to enter a gala of the rich and powerful, yet not so high that Hermann would be afraid to make a move. It was perfect for their plan.
Although Gojo was full of confidence, Vermouth insisted on a "pre-job training" session. In other words, a trial run of the makeup to check the effect, while teaching him ladylike deportment and vocal techniques. They couldn't afford a slip-up where he'd be recognized as a male at first glance.
Gojo thought it was unnecessary, but since it was harmless and potentially helpful, he agreed. The session was set for this afternoon.
Vermouth set aside her other duties and made a special trip back to the villa. The others sensed something unusual, but Gojo kept his mouth shut. Even Gin didn't know what he had been so mysteriously busy with lately.
Inside Vermouth's private dressing room, Gojo—now wearing a wig and light makeup—opened his eyes and appraised the face in the mirror.
"Not bad."
What can I say? He was almost falling in love with himself.
Beside him, Vermouth marveled, "Trust me, Satoru, if you went into acting as a child star, you would be a global sensation."
The foundation of his face was so superior that she barely had to do anything. With his current bone structure, he passed perfectly as a slender teenage girl. As for the Adam's apple, a well-placed choker or neck accessory would hide it easily.
[Impression Points from story character Vermouth increased by 500. Analysis: Appreciation.]
Gojo had figured it out by now: Vermouth was a secret aesthetic-obsessive. To farm points from this woman, a beautiful face was essential.
Well... thank god I transmigrated into Gojo-sensei's body and not someone like Jogo.
(Jogo: Do you have no manners?)
"Now then... time to give them a little fright."
Following the techniques Vermouth described, Gojo relaxed his vocal cords, raised his pitch, and used a falsetto. A clear, delicate "loli" voice emerged perfectly.
Gin, Calvados, and Sake were sitting in the living room, discussing what to have for lunch.
"Two portions of lasagna, one cheese and ham pizza, a mushroom risotto, and a small veal steak," Sake tallied the menu, then added with a worried look, "Kaiser-sama seems to be still sleeping. Doesn't he need to eat?"
"He hasn't left his room all morning. Who knows what he's doing," Gin said. "Perfect. Don't order too many sweets today. Just leave him a sandwich." He added with a touch of malice: "Make it all vegetables."
The hidden Satoru Gojo: ...Kurosawa Jin, you have a heart of stone.
"I think I saw Ms. Vermouth's car parked outside. Is she back?" Calvados asked hopefully.
"Who knows? That woman has always been elusive," Gin said, flipping through a book on weapon mechanics. Even now, he didn't forget to study. "This is why I hate 'mysterious' people."
Calvados felt Gin was disrespecting his goddess and wanted to pick a fight, but he was held back by the peacemaker, Sake, and spent the next while sulking.
Kasumi Shimizu was worried: The emotional intelligence of these two... they're both problem children. At least I'm relatively normal. (As for the other problem child, Satoru Gojo, he was selectively ignored due to her doting "idol filter.")
"Kaiser-sama still isn't awake. Maybe I should bring him—"
The sound of light footsteps reached their ears.
"Eh?"
Hearing movement from upstairs, the three immediately looked up. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows on the staircase. A silver-haired beauty with pale skin and azure eyes was slowly walking down. Her flowing hair shimmered in the light; she looked like someone stepped out of a fairy tale.
Sake murmured blankly, "A white... elf?"
The girl wore an exquisite white lace dress, the ruffled hem swaying gently with her steps. Seeing the three in the living room, her face turned pale with fright. She placed her right hand over her heart in distress and said pitifully, "You... who are you? Where am I?"
Even her voice was beautiful, as sweet as an oriole in a valley.
Calvados and Sake's brains stalled. Even the stoic Gin had a flash of genuine amazement in his eyes.
Seeing the girl on the verge of tears, the two scrambled to explain. "Wait, don't be afraid! We aren't bad—" They stopped. Wait. We're all assassins raised by the Organization and given codenames.
Actually, we really ARE the bad guys.
Calvados, prone to overthinking, fell into a daze of existential confusion. Sake snapped out of it and asked, "This is the villa where we're staying. Who are you? Why are you here?"
The girl clutched her skirt nervously and walked over slowly. "I don't know. I just woke up here. Can you take me home? Uuu... I'm so scared~"
Her shimmering blue eyes made it impossible not to feel protective.
"Of course we can! Because you're so cute—I mean, because we're good people!" Sake cried out. Wow, she's even prettier up close. And... she looks just like Kaiser-sama.
Is she his long-lost sister?!
(Sake: A goddess! Calvados: She is indeed super cute, but Vermouth-sama is the only one for me!!)
Unlike the other two's shock, Gin stood his ground. He stared at the girl's face for a moment, then furrowed his brows.
"Satoru Gojo, what are you doing?" Gin spoke with a face full of black lines. "Did you suddenly awaken a cross-dressing fetish and a drama habit at the same time?"
"...Eh? Kaiser-sama (Gojo-sensei)?!" The other two shouted in unison.
"Ah, whatever." Gojo dropped the act and switched back to his original voice. "And I thought I could fool you for a bit longer~"
The fragile beauty instantly transformed into a rebellious youth. Though the face was the same, the aura was so different it made Sake gasp. "Kaiser-sama's disguise is that good?"
Vermouth, who had been hiding and watching the show, walked out. "It's quite impressive. But... Gin still saw through it."
Gojo shrugged. He hadn't expected to fool the "Workaholic" whose observation skills were maxed out. Besides, with him missing all morning, the sudden appearance of a look-alike girl made it an easy guess. It only worked on the other two because the disguise was so far removed from their mental image of him.
Gin stated calmly that they simply didn't understand Gojo's nature well enough. His experience from the past three years told him that nothing this guy did—no matter how whimsical—could be considered "strange" anymore.
To ensure they didn't actually think he had a fetish, Gojo explained the mission. Calvados and Sake took it well, but Gin couldn't hide the schadenfreude in his eyes.
Gojo was annoyed. Oh, so you're happy seeing me in a dress? Fine. If we're brothers, we wear them together!
"Vermouth-oneesan, I'm disguising as a rich young lady, right?" Gojo said sweetly. Gin felt alarm bells ringing in his head at the tone. "How can a lady go without a personal maid? I think Gin would be perfect for the role~"
"Hmm, that makes sense," Vermouth actually considered it seriously.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Gin couldn't take it. "Don't try to drag me down with you."
Gojo said innocently, "I'm thinking solely of the mission's success. I'm not talking nonsense."
This has nothing to do with the mission. You just want to see me humiliated, Gin thought. He ignored Gojo and turned to leave.
"Hey~ don't be in such a hurry." Gojo grabbed him and whispered a few words into his ear. Gin's pupils dilated, and he hesitated.
"Are you... telling the truth?"
"Of course. Why would I lie to you?"
Gin brooded for a moment, his expression shifting between light and dark. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. But if you're lying, you'll..."
"I'll never get to eat Kikufuku ever again!" Gojo made a solemn vow.
Sake and Calvados felt like things were going off the rails. ...Gin actually agreed to be a maid?
No way. How could he possibly—
They were cut off by a fierce glare from Gin, who threatened darkly, "You two, go to your rooms. You are not to see anything you shouldn't."
"..."
The two were dying of curiosity, but for the sake of their future safety, they obediently fled the scene, leaving Gin, Gojo, and Vermouth alone.
"Heh~ things just got much more interesting," Vermouth giggled, covering her lips.
Gojo: "Then let's try on the clothes, Gin-chan."
Seeing their glowing eyes, Gin took a step back. Is it... too late to regret this?