I'm not going to be an Spirit! (Translate)

Chapter 53: Mutual Probing

Fortunately, Ozaki Koyo was not the kind of woman who would become angry due to someone else's casual attitude.

Although her intuition made her a bit curious about Tokisaki Kurumi's age, it would have been rude to inquire, and among women, this was a universally understood principle.

Setting aside her curiosity for now, Ozaki Koyo continued with pleasantries, "Have you gotten used to life in the Port Mafia?"

"While I may have lost some of my former freedom, I don't dislike it here."

"I'm glad to hear that. If Mori Ogai were here, I think he would feel the same."

After a brief pause, Ozaki Koyo asked with curiosity, "By the way, Miss Tokisaki, did you know Mr. Mori before joining?"

"No, I didn't."

"If you and Mori Ogai didn't know each other, why would he agree to let you join the organization?"

Most members of the Port Mafia knew that a new ability-user named Tokisaki Kurumi had joined the organization, but very few knew much about her, including the senior executives.

Typically, anyone wishing to join the Port Mafia would first have to undergo a background check by the Intelligence Division to confirm their identity and past. Only then would they be considered eligible to join. But that was only the first step. To truly become a member, one had to go through numerous trials and assignments, proving their loyalty before they could even have a chance to meet Mori Ogai.

However, Tokisaki Kurumi had bypassed all of this. Mori Ogai himself had introduced her to the organization, even elevating her immediately to the position of guerilla squad leader. This was unimaginable to other members.

Even the senior executives couldn't help but wonder what sort of relationship Tokisaki Kurumi had with Mori Ogai for him to open the door so widely for her. As head of the Intelligence Division, Ozaki Koyo had naturally investigated this and received the same answer Mori Ogai had given Chuuya Nakahara: "Special circumstances, special treatment."

If Ozaki Koyo hadn't known that Mori Ogai only showed interest in very young girls, she might have wondered if he had a special relationship with Tokisaki Kurumi.

"My relationship with Mr. Mori? Well, if I had to say... it's simply transactional."

"Transactional?"

"Yes. But as for the nature of the transaction, you can ask Mr. Mori directly. If he doesn't want to tell you, then I can't either."

"I understand. If Mori Ogai isn't willing to discuss it, then it's clearly something I don't need to know."

"Being kept in the dark by someone you trust doesn't that bother you, Miss Ozaki?"

"Not at all. Every move that gentleman makes is for the benefit of the organization, even if it means keeping secrets."

"You're truly dedicated to the organization, Miss Ozaki," Tokisaki Kurumi remarked with a smile. "It's hard to imagine that someone who once regarded the Port Mafia as an enemy would now care so much about its well being."

Ozaki Koyo's eyebrow arched slightly, surprised that Tokisaki Kurumi knew about her past.

In the days when the previous Port Mafia Boss was in charge, tensions were high both within and outside the organization. Externally, their aggressive expansion tactics made them many enemies, and internally, the strict rules, frequent assignments, and high mortality rate left members miserable. The pressure did not unify the Port Mafia; instead, it turned it into a fractured mess. Some members even attempted to escape.

Ozaki Koyo's lover had been one of them.

He was an ordinary member of the organization. For someone like him, once you joined, there was no leaving, only escaping. And for escapees, the penalty under Port Mafia law was death.

But he could no longer tolerate life in the Mafia. After preparing everything, he decided to leave quietly, bringing Ozaki Koyo along. He promised her a beautiful, brighter future outside the Port Mafia, where they could live as an ordinary couple, growing old together.

Young and easily swayed by his words, Ozaki Koyo was drawn to the life he described and joined his escape plan. Unfortunately, they failed. He had overestimated himself and underestimated the organization. Perhaps he could have escaped alone, but he chose to bring Ozaki Koyo, one of the organization's rare ability-users, whom the previous Boss would never have allowed to slip away in such a critical period.

As punishment, her lover was executed, while Ozaki Koyo was spared.

This was why she once harbored hatred for the Port Mafia.

Recalling this deeply painful past, Ozaki Koyo didn't show any dramatic reaction. She simply remarked, "People change, and so do organizations. I resented the Port Mafia of the past, not the one it is now."

She wasn't surprised that Tokisaki Kurumi knew about her history. Though few within the organization knew, she had never made efforts to keep it entirely hidden. She did, however, feel curious about how Tokisaki Kurumi had learned about it.

Did Mori Ogai tell her? No, he wasn't the type to gossip.

Could it have been an older member? That didn't make sense either—she hadn't interacted with many since joining.

Reflecting on Mori Ogai's intelligence update from the previous day, Ozaki Koyo had a sudden realization. She recalled the report mentioning Tokisaki Kurumi's ability to "read memories." That must have been how she knew.

As head of the Intelligence Division, her deductive and associative abilities now gave her a rough idea of why Mori Ogai had recruited Tokisaki Kurumi. It seemed likely that some crucial secrets of Mori Ogai and the Port Mafia were known to this girl. With her mysterious and uncanny ability, Mori Ogai must have struck some kind of deal with her, not wanting to take any risks without complete certainty.

However, this had nothing to do with her.

Since Mori Ogai had personally accepted Tokisaki Kurumi, there was no need for her to worry further. Besides, her purpose in visiting today wasn't to gather intelligence.

Clearing her throat, Ozaki Koyo prepared to discuss the main reason for her visit today.

Chapter 54: A Gathering of Three Women

"Please enjoy the tea."

As Kurumi and Koyo Ozaki idly chatted, Kyoka Izumi appeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray with freshly brewed tea. Upon seeing Kyoka approach, a hint of warmth softened Koyo's gaze.

Setting the two steaming cups on the coffee table, Kyoka gave a slight bow. Just as she turned to leave, Kurumi gently pulled her onto the sofa beside her.

"Miss Ozaki, you don't mind if Kyoka joins us for a chat, do you?" Kurumi asked knowingly.

"Of course not; in fact, I'd be delighted," Koyo replied with a smile. "It's been a while since I last saw this child, and catching up would be wonderful."

As Kurumi had guessed, Koyo wouldn't refuse this request. After all, the main reason Koyo came to visit Kurumi was because of Kyoka. Otherwise, why would a dual department head like her bother to personally visit a newcomer?

"Kyoka, Miss Ozaki is your teacher, right?" Kurumi asked.

"Yes." Kyoka nodded expressionlessly.

Although it was Akutagawa who initially brought her into the Port Mafia, Akutagawa's abilities relied entirely on his power, so teaching someone else how to fight wasn't really feasible. Teaching an assassin needed a true assassin.

Kyoka had two mentors within the organization, and Koyo Ozaki was one of them. At first sight, Koyo had developed a fondness for this child not only for her cuteness but also because of the similarities in their abilities and past experiences. Looking at Kyoka, Koyo saw a reflection of her own past, a girl lost in confusion, living without purpose.

So Koyo, seeing herself in Kyoka, had cared for her immensely, giving her all the guidance and knowledge she could offer, hoping Kyoka would adapt quickly to the Port Mafia. Because Koyo had endured hardship, she wanted to shield Kyoka from the same pain. And with Koyo's careful mentorship combined with Kyoka's natural talents, she quickly became one of the top assassins within just six months.

In Koyo's heart, Kyoka was almost like a daughter. And now, knowing that her beloved student had been placed under the care of someone rumored to be even more ruthless than Akutagawa, she naturally had to check in. If Kyoka didn't like it here, Koyo wouldn't hesitate to take her back.

Kurumi had already anticipated this, so she invited Kyoka to join their conversation. As long as Kyoka showed even a hint of wanting to stay, Koyo would leave on her own. Kurumi didn't want excessive interaction or negotiations with Koyo; managing her complicated relationship with Mori was taxing enough, so avoiding unnecessary entanglements was ideal.

"You haven't seen each other in a while, right? Is there anything you'd like to say to her?" Kurumi encouraged, hoping to prompt Kyoka to express herself.

"I... don't really have anything to say..."

Thinking that Kyoka might be feeling shy, Kurumi chuckled softly, continuing to encourage her.

Koyo, seated gracefully, sipped her tea, though her glances betrayed a keen curiosity about what Kyoka might want to say.

After Kurumi's persistent questions, Kyoka finally said, "I just don't feel close to her."

Kurumi had prepared herself for some blunt honesty, but Kyoka's straightforwardness still nearly made her choke on her tea.

Koyo Ozaki was Kyoka's mentor, teaching and guiding her for more than half a year. They'd spent all that time together, with Koyo treating Kyoka as if she were her own daughter. She even came to personally check on her well-being after learning she'd been placed under Kurumi's supervision.

And yet, Kyoka, true to her detached personality, showed no emotional attachment. Kurumi even felt a bit sorry for Koyo.

Seeing Kyoka's reaction, Kurumi wasn't all that surprised. Although Koyo had shown her utmost care, Kyoka was simply unable to feel or respond to her warmth. Caught in the belief that she'd killed her own parents, Kyoka had shut herself off emotionally, feeling like a living puppet. In such a state, she couldn't recognize or appreciate Koyo's affection.

Moreover, Kyoka resented the assassination missions the Port Mafia assigned to her, so it was difficult for her to feel any positive emotions toward Koyo, who trained her as an assassin.

Perhaps Kyoka actually harbored some resentment towards this teacher who had forced her down this path. Her blunt remark, "I don't feel close to her," might have been the most tactful expression she could manage.

"This child is as shy as ever."

Hearing Kyoka's response, Koyo showed no sign of disappointment. Instead, her smile grew warmer as she remarked affectionately, "But it's alright; I understand her well."

Kyoka made a face, refusing to say more.

Kurumi, bewildered, wore a look of disbelief. Could Koyo really think Kyoka's words were just her way of hiding her true feelings? It was true Kyoka was reserved, but she wasn't secretly affectionate; her words reflected her actual sentiments.

It seemed, however, that Koyo was too fond of Kyoka to see it clearly. In her eyes, everything Kyoka said and did was tinged with an affectionate filter. Even if Kyoka openly told her she didn't like her and didn't consider her a mother, Koyo would likely interpret it as Kyoka concealing her feelings.

Kurumi chose to stay silent rather than disrupt their complex bond. After all, exposing the truth might make Koyo feel she was interfering. It was better to leave things as they were.