SWNOVELXO Chapter 39: "39: Even Though You Say That..."
Outside Room 303, Luo Shu finished adjusting the navy blue button-up uniform of Toyosaki Academy. After changing into his shoes at the entryway, he opened the door and turned his head to glance at Tsubakihara Mira inside the room.
"I mean, I don't really mind, but are you sure you're just going to stay here like this?"
Mira smiled and made an "OK" gesture before stretching lazily. "Choosing whether or not to show up for work freely—that's a special right reserved for proper members of society, you know."
No, I wasn't talking about that. I meant, doesn't it seem a little inappropriate for a girl to be staying at a guy's place... And what do you mean "members of society" can decide freely whether or not to work? That's a boss's privilege! Luo Shu couldn't help mentally grumbling. He looked up at Mira and added, "Don't go overboard."
He could somewhat understand her excitement. After all, she had just awakened her abilities and was eager to try them out. And the best place to test them was naturally the Astronomy Club's base—so her reason for staying behind in Luo Shu's apartment was obvious.
Still, even as he acknowledged that, another thought slipped into his mind: A stunning beauty like her is hanging out alone at my place, huh? How am I supposed to focus in class now?
With that thought lingering, Luo Shu stepped out the door. Just as it was closing, a cheerful voice called out from inside, "Bon voyage~~"
"Seriously, what a weird feeling..." he muttered, standing at the doorway for a second before slinging his bag over his shoulder and heading for the elevator.
———
"He's coming out," said Inoue Takina, lowering her binoculars. Her voice was calm and analytical. "Should we try to make contact now?"
"Huh? Let me see too!" Chisato Nishikigi mumbled through a mouthful of hamburger as she walked over and took the binoculars from Takina, peering out toward the apartment.
Within a minute, Luo Shu stepped out through the glass doors of the building. He looked around, clearly surveying his surroundings.
"Ooh~~" Chisato drew out her tone with interest and took another bite of her burger. "He's being super obvious about it. If anyone else were watching him, they'd have spotted him instantly."
Takina sighed at that. "You do realize he's a rookie, right? So why was he given such a risky assignment in the first place?"
"Because it's not that risky," Chisato replied breezily. "That's what the boss said."
"Come on, think about it. We're dealing with an abyssal artifact like the Heart of the Demon. For women like us, the risk is huge, right?" She waved her half-eaten burger for emphasis. "So, the boss chose Luo Shu because he's male and also the one who saved that young lady. It made sense to send him."
Takina was silent for a moment before replying, "...I don't disagree with the chief's logic. But still, this kind of task is way above a rookie's pay grade."
"The one assigned should've been someone experienced in infiltration and surveillance, not a newbie. It's irresponsible."
Chisato didn't seem surprised by her concern and shrugged. "The problem is, Takina, we don't have any veterans like that in SDS."
"Ugh..." Takina flinched at that. Reality hit hard. After a pause, she could only sigh in resignation.
Seeing her sigh, Chisato waved dismissively. "Alright, alright. Luo Shu's fine for now, right? In some ways, things are still under control—oh! He spotted us. Nice! And we're so far away too."
Grinning, she lowered the binoculars and waved toward Luo Shu. "Hey! Over here~~!"
"Wait—Chisato!" Takina was instantly alarmed by her bold action. "If someone's secretly observing him, they might've just spotted us!"
Chisato, unconcerned, replied lightly, "Nope. My gut says there's no hidden surveillance. Well, excluding our upstairs neighbor."
"Considering the relationship between that young lady and Luo Shu, I'd say we can safely remove her from the list of potential threats."
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Chisato tilted her head slightly and looked toward the third-floor walkway of the apartment. There, leaning against the railing and watching Luo Shu leave, stood none other than Tsubakihara Mira.
"Wow... Luo Shu, huh? Advancing that far in just one night? Did he already reach third base? Maybe second? Surely not just first?"
Takina's face flushed red as she immediately slapped a hand over Chisato's mouth. "That's way too indecent!!"
"Mmmph!!" Chisato flailed and raised her hands in surrender. The two of them tumbled to the side, still play-fighting.
———
Ten minutes later.
Luo Shu stood outside a hotel room door and knocked twice.
"Just a sec, coming—" came Chisato's voice from inside. A second voice, calm and composed, followed: "I'll get the door."
But then—
"Takina~~! Your clothes!" Chisato shouted.
"Ah! Oh no—" the previously composed voice now sounded flustered.
Standing outside, Luo Shu had heard everything, and his expression turned extremely conflicted. Should he knock again? Or... not?
Just what exactly are you two doing in there? Mind letting me take a peek?! (Booming Voice)
Soon, the door opened, revealing Chisato's grinning face. "Sorry to keep you waiting, partner~~"
"Rather than that," Luo Shu said, glancing past her into the room, "what was going on earlier...?"
And there she was—Inoue Takina, with her over-the-shoulder black hair and violet eyes, standing by the TV, furiously dabbing at her short uniform skirt with a tissue. And beneath it, plain black safety shorts ruined the mood entirely.
"Ah, that..." Chisato waved a hand. "Tomato ketchup from the burger got on her skirt. Takina's just hopeless—totally ignored the setting. The burger fell, the skirt got stained, sigh~~"
Life is tough. Chisato sighed dramatically.
From inside, Takina's voice carried a note of irritation. "That happened because of your inappropriate remarks in the first place."
"Inappropriate?" Luo Shu glanced at Chisato.
Her face scrunched up like a steamed bun, and she stuck out her tongue. "She started it! She hit me first!"
Takina bit her lip, glaring silently at Chisato.
Trying to lighten the mood, Chisato quickly tugged Luo Shu into the room. "Alright, alright, no point focusing on the little stuff. Come on in, Luo Shu!"
The moment he stepped in, the door slammed shut behind them.
Chisato clapped him on the shoulder. "You did good, partner~"
"It must've been tough last night, huh? You had to approach that lady under the watchful eyes of her bodyguards, and at the same time, secretly search her belongings for any signs of abyssal artifacts."
"Just managing to get through the night without being caught is an accomplishment on its own."
She patted his shoulder repeatedly, full of sympathy.
Meanwhile, Takina offered some comfort from the side as well. "Even though the mission failed, don't worry. The responsibility lies with the chief for assigning it so poorly. Not on you."
"Even though you say that..." Luo Shu looked at his concerned colleagues, then slowly pulled a ruby ring out of his pocket.
"But... I actually got the 'target.'"
The room fell silent.