Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Summer Vacation Special Camp (1)
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“Serika. Isn't today the day the test results come out? Where's your report card?”
I’m the type who gets things done when I put my mind to it. Whether it’s studying, skill development, or secret missions, I’ve never failed so far.
“Mom! Here it is! I improved my grades again this time.”
“Oh, really? Then we should go out for something delicious today.”
This was proven by my final exam scores this time around. Thanks to the study group and thirty minutes of preview and review every day, I’d raised my grades once more. When I handed over the report card with a beaming smile, Mom took it with a happy expression and checked my scores.
I couldn’t quite read Mom’s expression perfectly, but I knew she was pleased anyway.
58 59 63 65 63
Scores that had been stuck in the high 50s had soared all the way to an average of 61.
An impressive average increase of three whole points? Now I was a full ten points above failing territory, which meant no worries about repeating a grade or anything like that.
“...Uh, yeah. You did well. Good job, Serika. I’m proud of you.”
Mom patted my head. See? Hard work pays off no matter what.
“...Maybe we should send Serika to cram school.”
It was 11 p.m., with Serika fast asleep. If there was one worry clouding their otherwise harmonious, laughter-filled home, it was Serika’s grades. She seemed to be studying hard lately, but her scores stubbornly refused to improve in any meaningful way.
Other kids could hit 80s or 90s with just a bit of effort and go out for family dinners to celebrate, but here was Serika proudly boasting about being ten points above failing. It was a bit depressing. Mom stared down at the report card, chin in hand, while Dad chewed his lip as he looked it over.
“...Well, as long as she’s healthy, right? Grades aren’t everything. She’s growing up healthy. That’s what matters.”
“No, honey, but still. If her grades have been like this since elementary school, how will she keep up in middle school? What if she gets bullied for being bad at studies? These days, kids even sort their friends by grades. The ones who aren’t good at school can’t make good friends. And Serika’s such a kind heart—she wouldn’t stand up to those kids, and if she ends up going astray because of it...”
Mom shook her head anxiously, lost in her worries, until Dad—Iwamoto Yoshio—let out his usual good-natured chuckle.
“Don’t worry too much, dear. Our Serika isn’t slacking off or rebelling to get these scores, right? She’s studying hard; her brain just isn’t cooperating. If we push her now, she might really go off the rails or get stressed out. Let’s just quietly cheer her on from the sidelines. That’s what being parents is all about, isn’t it?”
Serika’s mom bit her nails, lost in thought at Yoshio’s words. She glanced back and forth between the report card, Yoshio, and Serika’s bedroom in silence. Then, something seemed to spark in her mind—her eyes lit up as she turned to Yoshio.
“...Or, honey, what if we leverage Serika’s talents for something like a special admissions track starting now?”
“Special admissions?”
“Yeah, she’s attending that great facility, right? I heard completing their special programs can give advantages for entrance exams later. Could you look into that sort of thing?”
“Hmm...”
Yoshio pondered for a moment. They were already getting free access to the facility—asking for more might be pushing it. But his hesitation didn’t last; he worried about Serika’s poor grades and future too. He nodded.
“I’ll ask about it.”
At least he could have that conversation.
The facility’s secret sector always had at least two people on duty. Today, it was Dennis and Saburo—both so swamped with their roles that showing up at the company was rare. By chance, their schedules aligned, and they crossed paths.
Of course, these two barely even exchanged personal contact normally, so even in the same room, they faced different directions. Saburo sat by the window, passing time with a newspaper, while Dennis adjusted her glasses and typed away on her laptop.
Saburo flipped through the pages one by one, then glanced at Dennis.
“I’m thinking of throwing Serika into some more intense missions soon.”
Dennis’s eyebrow twitched at Saburo’s words. She debated how to respond, then lowered her gaze.
“And?”
Dennis knew Saburo was just tossing out that phrasing to provoke her. Of course, it was regrettable that Serika was being pushed into rougher missions, but as someone following orders from above, she couldn’t outright oppose it.
Saburo continued.
“‘And?’ You’ve gotten pretty cold in the time I haven’t seen you. Lost your affection for Serika?”
Dennis didn’t even blink at that, just kept typing. Amid the steady tap-tap-tap of keys, her haughty voice rang out.
“You’re just saying that to rile me up. Like some elementary schooler.”
“Hah!”
Saburo snorted at Dennis’s jab. He turned back to his newspaper.
“Don’t act so prickly. This mission’s more complicated than the last one. There are Yakuza squatting on land we need to buy for the research site. We have to deal with them. They’re masquerading as a regular construction firm, so going legal would be a hassle. Orders are to drive them out, dead or alive.”
Dennis’s face hardened as she heard the details. It was more dangerous than expected. She knew joining the Prophets meant facing missions like this eventually, but it felt sooner than anticipated.
“Yakuza all of a sudden? Isn’t that too risky? Carmen and Serika lack real combat experience, and with so many variables, they could end up getting overpowered.”
Saburo shrugged indifferently.
“For people like us, it’s not about mission difficulty. It’s how often you’re exposed to violence. They call themselves Yakuza and a construction company, but they’re just parasites leaching protection money in rural areas or small towns. Perfect types for Serika to swing at without hesitation.”
Give violence a justification, and each swing brings a rush of pleasure. That’s how people gradually grow numb to throwing punches. Just like Saburo.
Dennis replied.
“Even so, they’ve got a company name attached—too many variables. If they’re maintaining corporate status, they’re probably big. Not a place for inexperienced kids like Serika or Carmen.”
Saburo shrugged again.
“That’s why you’re going as supervisor this time.”
Saburo’s finger pointed at Dennis. She blinked, then asked back.
“...Me? I thought you handled Serika’s oversight.”
Saburo grinned.
“Their core fighters are all heading out as a group to collect elsewhere. My assault team will neutralize them, then you, Serika, and Carmen clean up the stragglers.”
Dennis thought it over briefly.
Refusing wasn’t an option.
If anything, tagging along with Serika might be for the best.
Facilitating her involvement in this mission while worrying about it—what a contradictory person she’d become.
Dennis realized she’d grown numb to these things at some point.
Was this what it meant to turn into a monster?
If Serika kept working with the Prophets, would she become a monster like her too?
“...Got it. I’ll go along.”
“Good. Let’s do our best. Oh, and call that Yoshio guy to let him know about the mission.”
Saburo nodded and returned to his newspaper.
Dennis pulled out her phone and stepped into the hallway.
Dennis blinked a few times and took a deep breath. Then she pulled out her phone and called Iwamoto Yoshio.
“President Iwamoto. Is now a good time?”
A bright voice came through immediately, as if he’d been waiting.
“Whoa, I was just about to call you—perfect timing, Ms. Dennis.”
“...What’s up?”
Dennis hesitated at Yoshio’s cheerful tone before asking. He jumped right in.
“Well, you see, kids Serika’s age need all sorts of diverse experiences to grow, don’t they?”
Dennis felt her heart pounding.
“Yes, and?”
“We sent her to the facility for fresh experiences and growth like that... I was wondering if you have any fun, educational programs lined up.”
Dennis inhaled sharply at his words.
This man was a devil.
And she was worse—shoving Serika between a devil and a monster.
Dennis steadied her breathing amid self-loathing, anger, and contempt.
“...Conveniently, we do. I’ll send the details in writing later.”
“Oh, really? Then I’ll leave it to you. Haha!”
Yoshio’s laughter echoed.
Dennis snapped her phone shut and sighed.