Chapter-99 "What can you offer?"
(A/N:-Cursing in this chapter, be WARNED!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Kyouko POV)
Fuck them!
Fuck them all!
My decisions are clouded by my emotions!?
I watched my boyfriend get stabbed in the back!...
...while I was helpless to help him!
You expect me to contain myself!?
You want me to restrain myself and my emotions!?
Would you be willing to do the same if it was your daughter laying on the hospital bed; in a coma!?
Would you do what you preach if this happened to your loved ones!?
No!
You would be out for blood!
You would be hunting that motherfucker down!
You would be dreaming about vengeance!
Fucking hypocrites!
The higher-ups forbade me from getting involved in the hunting mission; to track down [The Puppet Master].
They believe that after what happened to Toshikazu...
...I would allow my feelings to take control and jeopardize the mission.
Hah...can you believe this bullshit!?
I stormed out of the base after Major Kazama broke this news to me.
I was angry...
...still am!
But there is no way that I would stop!
I will track him down myself and then...
...I would kill him!
But in order to do that, I would need help.
Since I can't use the resources from 101-battalion to track down [The Puppet Master]. I will have to access someplace which does have the required equipment.
In such a short time, there are very few places with such resources and only one can be accessed if I play my cards right.
---
(Outside Erik's office)
Nervous!
Yes, I am nervous!
I don't have any idea how this will go but I hope I succeed.
No! I must succeed!
I don't have any other choice!
Inhales!
Exhales!
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
Looking down at my hand; on the doorknob, I knew that once I walk inside the room, things would change forever.
Click!
Even so, I twisted open the door with conviction.
"Welcome, Kyouko-san!"
The first thing that entered my vision was the back of the chair.
There he is, Erik Saltzman.
He sat on a huge chair which was turned towards a see-through glass wall; the office was located on the 69th floor.
The view up here was breathtaking!
"My assistant informed me that you had something important to discuss with me?"
Stands up!
"I wonder what?"
I dunno why, but whenever Mr.Saltzman smiles, a cold sensation spreads throughout my body.
I can't get a read on this man no matter how much I study him!
And it is borderline frustrating!
"Remember, you once invited me to join [Dream Technology Cooperation]?"
"Well, I accept! But I need a favor!"
I don't have much time to waste so I made my intentions crystal clear.
"Hm..."
I don't like it, at all.
He had an amused expression on his face; as if he is finding this situation funny!
"You see Kyouko-san, your invitation had a time limit to it."
"It has been 2-years since I asked you about joining me but now..."
"...I do not lack capable manpower and I certainly do not lack capable brains."
T-This!?
I-It is t-true that I was the one who didn't accept his invitation 2-years ago, thinking that he needed my skills!
Then it hit me!
How can I be so stupid!?
All this time I had been thinking that he needs me to be on his side! But that's not the case!
Of course, he doesn't need me!
He is Erik Saltzman!
His connections and scouting ability are top-notch!
He had been recruiting a lot of skilled individuals to work for him since the founding of his new company.
All this time, I have been thinking that I had an edge over him.
Thinking that I could sell my services to him but the reality is often disappointing!
This was unexpected for me!
Is Toshikazu's condition really affecting my decisions?
---
(Erik POV)
Kyouko-san is disturbed? I wonder why...
From her tone, it looks like she wants something from me; and she is willing to go to great lengths to get it.
So much so that her words don't even make much sense.
"What is it that you desire, Kyouko-san?"
I was curious to know the reason behind her irregular behavior.
"I-I want you to heal Chiba Toshikazu!"
Huh? Naotsugu's older brother? The next clan head of the Chiba clan?
"Please explain, Kyouko-san."
"Toshikazu and I, we had been in a relationship for 4-years. A couple of days ago, we went on a date."
"Upon returning, we were attacked by an X-rank criminal named [The Puppet Master]."
"Toshikazu was critically injured while trying to protect me."
I see...
What a coincidence! Just a few minutes ago, Kokonoe-san informed me about his location, and now...
...Kyouko-san here is providing more information on him.
Such a lovely day, it is!
"While it is truly sad that something like this happened to Toshikazu-san. Why do you seek my help?"
"There are many doctors capable of healing nearing any injury, so why do you want my help?"
Indeed, I was confused as to why did she want me to heal Toshikazu.
I looked towards her for answers.
The muscles of her face constricted; it was easy to see that she was gritting her teeth with passion.
What exactly occurred to make this army veteran flip out?
Should I read her memories?
I rather not but I need more context of the situation.
---
Now I understand why is she having trouble restraining her emotions.
It is indeed sad!
What had happened was unfortunate but this is just a daily occurrence in this cursed world.
No one is safe in this world.
Truly! Ignorance is bliss!
People have no idea what may happen to them while they actively try to ignore the darker aspects of this world we live in...
...thinking that they might disappear and not come back!
They seek happiness from the things around them like a moth attracted to the light.
How foolish!
"Toshikazu is....in a coma."
"Doctors have said that they have no idea why he isn't waking up."
"You were able to heal my brother, I believe that you will also be able to cure Toshikazu!"
Ahh...now I know why she is seeking help from me.
I looked towards Kyouko-san and asked a simple question.
"I may or may not be able to heal Toshikazu-san..."
"...depends on what you can offer for my services."
---------------------------------------------------------------
(A/N:-The server °•The Coffee Shop•° was created with the intent to help authors find a well-organized server where they don't have to worry about creating multiple channels and handle the server.
The idea for this server is similar to Ink store but this is more of a joint-server that welcomes more authors to join.
Discord link:-https://discord.gg/WXHTGQN)