Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Those Who Wish to Become Fixers, Come Here (1)
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The long, long Night Week had finally come to an end.
And the end of Night Week, the year-end holiday, also meant that a new year had dawned.
On the second day of the new year, a biting wind blew, seeming to freeze the skin.
Alice, having arrived at the agency, strode inside and called out in a bright voice.
"Hello! Good morning! Happy New Year!"
"Yeah, yeah. You're pretty energetic for this early in the morning. Something good happen?"
"Of course I'm happy! It's been a while since I've come to work! Aren't you happy, Jin?"
"Ugh, it's whatever. What adult in this world actually enjoys working?"
You're still a kid, so you wouldn't know.
Raven leaned back in his chair at a steep angle, his eyes bored.
He then opened a digital newspaper, which had a satisfying feel to it, and began reading to pass the time.
Perhaps thanks to his somewhat plain black suit, he looked quite mature even in that pose.
It was hard to believe he was the same person who had been rolling around on the sofa in his pajamas just yesterday.
Perhaps it was because his usual behavior when not working was closer to childish than mature.
Alice muttered to herself, "Who's calling who a kid?" before her gaze suddenly shifted my way.
"...!"
"Hi, Happy New Year... Huh? Yuria, why are you at the agency? It's a weekday, isn't it?"
Alice blinked blankly, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation.
After dazedly returning the greeting I gave with a wave of my arm.
She turned to Raven with an even brighter expression, as if to ask what was going on.
I could fully understand why she was confused.
Ever since Greg arrived, I'd been working at the general store during the agency's operating hours.
The sudden presence of someone who shouldn't be here must have been puzzling.
Raven seemed to immediately grasp the meaning behind Alice's question.
Without looking up from his newspaper, he answered nonchalantly, as if it were a matter of course.
"Ah, I called them. The general store is closed today. A nearby water pipe froze, so there's no water. It's in a deserted area, so I guess the pipes weren't properly protected from freezing. They're closed for repairs. She left early this morning and just got back."
"Aha... So that's why Yuria is in her maid outfit."
Alice furrowed her brow slightly, calling it a shame.
The general store was located in a sparsely populated gray zone, so naturally, there were quite a few empty buildings.
To think a pipe freezing in one of those buildings would cause such collateral damage.
It was truly a case of bad luck. I was flustered myself.
Still, sitting here in my maid outfit for the first time in a while must have brought back some old memories for her.
The corners of Alice's mouth twitched with joy at my presence as she naturally sat down beside me.
Well, I was only wearing it because I couldn't be bothered to change. I wasn't going to help with work.
I'm not sure how long I sat there with Alice, who was subtly fidgeting with my hand.
After a little more time had passed, a green-haired man naturally entered.
It was David, a bear metahuman with cute, round ears on his head.
"Good day, everyone. It's been a while. And... hmm? Miss Yuria?"
"David, Greg's general store is closed for the day for repairs."
"Ah, so that's what happened. It's a pleasure to see you."
"...!"
Hello. I returned a light greeting to David, whom I hadn't seen in the few days since our trip ended.
Alice often came by the agency on her days off, as if she had nothing else to do.
But I'd only heard about David through Sabrina. It had been a very long time.
With this, the Fixer Agency was complete. The holidays were really over.
As I was thinking this while observing the very familiar scene, I suddenly felt a strange sensation near Alice.
It was an unpleasant feeling, as if something were secretly watching us.
But when I frowned at the sensation and looked around, there was only Alice.
What is this? Am I imagining it?
Blinking thoughtfully for a moment, I carefully touched the Echo in my pocket.
'Can you sense any kind of machine near Alice?'
[ Yes. A small device connected to a communication line is attached to the inside of her hair. ]
'Can you tell me the exact location?'
Following Echo's voice, I subtly moved my hand.
Alice looked at me with a puzzled expression as I suddenly started stroking her hair.
Then her eyes widened in surprise at the small mechanical device that had suddenly appeared in my hand.
"Y-Yuria? What is that?"
"...?"
Pinched between my fingers was something like a small bean that kept changing its shape.
No, rather than its shape changing, it was more like its color was shifting irregularly.
Unfortunately, I couldn't answer Alice.
Not only because I couldn't speak, but also because I had no idea what it was.
However, perhaps because Alice's voice had caused a small commotion.
Raven and David, who had been minding their own business, turned their attention toward us.
"What's wrong? What's going on?"
"Oh, that... it appears to be optical camouflage."
"Optical camouflage?"
"It's a technology that changes its appearance based on the surrounding colors. You can think of it like the so-called invisibility cloak."
"Ah, I see. But why is it... there?"
"I don't know either!"
What in the world have you been up to?
Alice jumped in place under Raven's incredulous gaze.
It seemed she also had no idea why it had been stuck to her hair.
But David, who was pondering with his chin in his hand, seemed to have an idea.
He nodded lightly as if he'd figured it out and spoke to me, who was holding the device.
"Could I see that for a moment?"
"...!"
"Hmm, yes... This appears to be... a camera."
"A camera?"
"A camera... Ah, don't tell me!"
To think this device was a camera.
Raven and Alice looked up, exchanging glances as if they'd realized something.
And I, too, realized who the culprit behind this absurd device was.
I mean, there's only one person who would hide a camera in the agency. No need to even deduce it.
"Must be Lily's doing. Yuria would notice if she used a drone to plant a spy cam, so she used Alice instead."
"My sister, really... Ugh, the stress is giving me a headache..."
"Lily... is that your older sister, Miss Alice?"
"Yeah. She came by a while ago, saying her project was finally over. She must have thought it was her chance while Yuria was away. That one has strangely good instincts."
Well, this time I found it thanks to Echo rather than psychokinesis.
What would you have done without me? I spread my arms wide as if demanding worship.
Alice gratefully stroked my head, and David applauded as if impressed. It was a gratifying reaction.
"Haaah, I'll take this and confront my sister. We promised she wouldn't do this again. Do I really have to break her in half...?"
"That's scary."
"That is frightening."
"..."
She said she'd give Lily a good scolding so she wouldn't do this again.
Apparently, she planned to use all sorts of dangerous wrestling moves on her.
Hmm, I wonder if Lily heard that just now...
But her future is probably looking very bleak. I should probably pray for her.
Anyway, with that, one case is solved!
I played with the optical camouflage camera, rolling it around and watching it fascinatingly change its appearance.
Alice said she'd take it as evidence. I planned to give it back to her when she left work.
Raven watched me quietly before stroking his chin as if remembering something he'd forgotten.
"Ah, right. Speaking of Lily reminded me. You guys have any busy plans for next Thursday or Friday?"
"Plans? Uh... no? I'll probably just be coming to work as usual."
"I do not. Is something the matter?"
"...!"
"Ah, Yuria. You don't have to answer. This is important for them."
What do you mean I don't have to answer? Why are you discriminating against me!
I shot up from the sofa and clung to the back of Raven's chair.
*Creeak.* The back of the chair tilted back sharply under my added weight.
But Raven didn't even bat an eyelash, ignoring me as if I weren't there. His reaction was twice as infuriating.
"Uh... for us?"
"Important means..."
David and Alice showed their confusion at Raven's words.
Asking about their schedules on a normal weekday out of the blue. They couldn't seem to fathom his intentions.
But Raven, still practically lying in his chair, crossed his arms lightly and said.
"I need to renew my Fixer license, so I'm going to the association. You two should come with me."
"Um... may I ask why?"
"Well, it's nothing major."
Raven grabbed the scruff of my neck, where I was clinging to the chair, and lifted me up.
Then he rose slightly from his seat and dropped a bombshell.
"You two, take the Fixer exam while you're at it."
"...What?"
As an atmosphere of bewilderment filled the agency, my legs, lifted by Raven, dangled limply in the air.