Chapter 38: Poison Mist Villain – Usuzumi⑤
"Nihao〜"
"No thanks, I’m good."
"Good with what!?"
I thought it was a delivery and opened the door, but standing there was a shady-looking guy.
That’s one of the problems with modern society. Since we buy almost everything online, delivery drivers show up a lot, so when the doorbell rings, you just assume it’s a package and open up.
In crime-ridden Japan, that’s the last thing you should be doing. I should’ve learned that back during D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s time.
I tried to slam the door shut, but he wedged his shoe in to block it. Damn, classic dirty salesman trick.
The shady man pointed at himself and blurted out desperately.
"It’s me, it’s me—Omokage!"
"…That doesn’t look like you at all!"
The shadow of Omokage was completely gone.
Red streaks ran through his hair, with round red-tinted glasses on his face. Tassel earrings with a Chinese design dangled from his ears. Red makeup traced the corners of his eyes, and of course, his outfit was full-on Chinese clothing.
Too suspicious. How does he not get stopped by the cops? Or maybe he gets away with it because it’s so over-the-top it looks like “fashion.”
"Didn’t Inori-san say I’d look good in Chinese clothes? I’m so sad now, boo-hoo, sniff sniff."
"You’re sticking with that character too? Well, I guess it’s not the worst…"
"If Master says so, then that’s what I’ll do, aru!"
"Damn it, I forgot—this guy turned into my unconditional approval machine."
Looks like he’s still as easily influenced as ever. He doesn’t really have a sense of self. In a way, maybe that’s who he is, but I know if it goes too far, he’ll lose his memories again. Until his identity solidifies a bit more, I’ll just have to keep an eye on him.
"So, what’s up today?"
"I got hired by Public Security, so I came to report, aru〜! Peace peace!"
"Oh, good for you. Do your best to live like a decent member of society."
Of course, being an assassin means he’s nowhere near “decent,” but whatever. With his ability to impersonate others, he could probably get a much more normal job, but knowing him, he’d overdo it and make a mess.
Better to leave him in the hands of Public Security, who at least know how to handle Ability Users.
"Since I’m part of Public Security now, I’ll pass on any info that might help you, Inori-san!"
"That makes it sound like I planted a spy in their ranks. Don’t do that. Trust is what makes the world go round."
"As long as I have Inori-san’s trust, that’s all that matters to me."
"Whoa, don’t just drop the character all of a sudden."
"Got it, aru!"
"Damn it, if this keeps up he’s gonna stay a fake Chinese guy forever."
I couldn’t tell if that would be a good thing or a bad thing. Same way I couldn’t tell if an assassin working for Public Security was really any better than being a villain.
If he’s fine with it, then fine… but the problem is, he doesn’t really have a “self.”
"If I ever get an assassination order for you, Inori-san, I’ll wreck Public Security from the inside right then and there, aru!"
"Don’t do that! That’ll make it look like I planted explosives in their offices!"
As an adult, I feel like I should take responsibility for this kid’s recklessness. But physically, I’m underage, and Omokage’s probably older than me. At least in terms of his body, anyway.
Still, if he’s joined Public Security, there’s one thing I want to ask.
"Have you met Usuzumi?"
"Yeah, I have, aru. Hmm… gave off a kind of difficult-to-approach vibe."
"Researcher type, maybe? Think I can get along with him?"
"You want to get along? Want me to drag him here?"
"You can’t become friends by dragging someone over."
"But that’s how you dragged me over, aru♡"
"That’s just because you’re a special case."
Hearing “special,” Omokage squealed with joy.
Looks like he’s weak to words like “special” or “abnormal,” the opposite of “ordinary.” Maybe it makes him feel like he’s being told, “You’re the only one in the world, there’s no replacement for you.”
A lot of people probably have that kind of trait, but with him, it’s a real problem.
Combined with that tendency to become whatever he’s told, chasing “abnormal” all the way to the extreme is exactly what makes him a villain.
"Standing around talking isn’t much good. Come on in. Though if Jin’s in a bad mood, you might get killed."
"So Inori-san’s house is DEAD OR ALIVE, huh〜"
"Is that what it means? If anything, it’s more like, ‘Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.’"
"Either way, that’s hell!"
The fact that he knows means that even without memories, he’s still got culture. Obviously, that’s thanks to Naname-san’s influence. Always quoting stuff. Because of her, I’ve weirdly become a favorite of literature professors.
When I brought Omokage into the living room, Jin, who was watching TV, clicked his tongue.
"Omokage’s here. Should I kill him?"
"Please don’t suggest that, aru!"
"Annoying. Die."
"Congrats, Omokage. Jin’s in a good mood today."
"He just told me to die!?"
If he says “die” instead of “I’ll kill you,” it means he’s in a good mood. Killing is Jin’s decision, but “die” leaves the choice of life and death to the other person. Less initiative means less killing intent.
"You’ve gone delinquent!"
On the other hand, Sudama said that when she saw Omokage done up like a Chinese punk.
"He’s not a delinquent, it’s just fashion. There are places where stuff like this is in style… apparently."
"I-Is that so? Hmph… Fashion changes quickly, after all. It was but an instant before everyone stopped wearing traditional clothing."
A statement that carries the weight of history.
"Omokage, treat Sudama well, all right? She’s knowledgeable about transformations. If anyone deserves to be called ‘master,’ it’s her."
"Of course! She’s my benefactor, aru—the one who helped me remember this form!"
"Is that way of speaking also a trend?"
"That trend is ancient."
"Then it’s all mismatched!"
I still don’t know where the whole “-aru” thing for Chinese people even came from. It would make more sense if he dropped small sounds, like saying “I t’ink so” instead of “I think so.”
But if I say that out loud, Omokage will actually start talking like that, so I keep quiet.
And that way of speaking was a trend ages ago too… though calling Sudama outdated doesn’t sit right either, since she’s been around long before trends even existed.
Trends caught up to her—and then passed her by.
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