The End of a Long Day
From the moment I attended the academy entrance ceremony as a Black Cell representative, to getting showered with bullets on the way back, and then having to undergo an ideological interrogation by a human lie detector the instant I returned to the organization—I really had been having one long day. Just as that thought crossed my mind, the director continued speaking, pulling the tension taut once more.
"Maxwell, we caught an internal whistleblower this time."
"I heard about it from Amano Yume as soon as I arrived. I understand you carried out a public execution while I was away."
While answering, I carefully observed the secretary's movements. Those unnatural gestures were clearly some kind of signal being sent to the director. Of course, Gloria possessed a similar ability, so I continued weaving my well-practiced words, deftly dismantling the director's traps one by one. But the director didn't beat around the bush and dropped the bomb right in front of me.
"The rat we caught this time."
"You even recorded it, I see."
"That vermin made all of us suffer so much. Everyone was thrilled when it finally happened."
The sociopath turned her laptop toward me and proudly played a video. In it, a woman struggled desperately before being brutally beheaded by special agents. I could see with my own eyes what happened to powerless justice. The director then stared straight at me and asked,
"Maxwell, what do you think of this video?"
"You handled it perfectly."
"Hmm? That was surprisingly straightforward."
She looked genuinely surprised by my answer. But at that moment, the secretary's fingers—clutching the tablet with both hands—twitched unnaturally. It was the kind of movement you'd miss unless you were watching closely. That was likely the signal confirming my words as truth. The director immediately followed up on my response.
"Can you tell me exactly which part you think was handled well?"
"You seem unusually curious today, Director."
"Even I have days like this. Anyway, keep going."
"Right now, fear among the members outweighs their discontent. Future whistleblowers won't dare move recklessly, and everyone will be more cautious. As an exercise in rule by terror, it's a resounding success."
Twitch…
"As for the drawbacks—"
"Everyone will be so tense that mistakes will increase in research and progress will slow. Naturally, the organization's atmosphere will remain frozen."
Twitch…
They say the first time is coincidence, the second is deliberate, and the third is inevitable. Even if that might change later, I'd successfully stolen the secretary's signals, so I could continue the conversation with relative ease. Only after navigating the entire minefield did I finally deliver my report.
"Pfft, that principal pulled off something interesting this time, huh?"
"If you'd attended the entrance ceremony yourself, Director, I'm sure you would have been very satisfied."
"I'd like to, but I'm too busy. You handled the shootout well, too."
"I thought it best not to leave any loose ends."
If I'd released those mutants, my life would have remained under constant threat far into the future. I didn't regret that decision even now. With the ideological verification complete and the report delivered without issue, the director wore a very satisfied expression.
"Haa… Talking with you really puts my mind at ease, Maxwell."
"Please don't start seeing me as your personal counselor."
"You know what I mean. You've worked hard today, so go get some rest. Ah, you're heading to see those kids, right?"
"Yes."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… Looks like you'll be pulling another all-nighter."
The meeting with the director was finally winding down, but the realization that I'd have to face that human lie detector alongside her again tomorrow sent a wave of fatigue crashing over me. Feeling sorry for my future self, I was about to leave the director's office when—
"Maxwell."
"Is there something else?"
"Sorry for all the questions, but… what do you think of Black Cell?"
The director asked with genuine curiosity. My answer was obvious.
"I don't regret joining, but lately I've been thinking it's not so great."
It was an answer that could be interpreted in multiple ways and slightly missed the mark of the question. Judging by the secretary's slightly trembling eyebrows, even she seemed to find it difficult to classify as truth or lie. Regardless, the director looked flustered despite receiving no signal and pressed on.
"W-wait, why?!"
"Because vacation and dispatch missions are the same thing."
When I voiced my pure, unfiltered complaint, the secretary gave a very sympathetic look and signaled that it was the truth. The director looked thoroughly displeased but simply told me to see her tomorrow and let me go. As I stepped out of the office, I caught a fragment of conversation before the door closed.
"So it really is the welfare issue…"
The secretary already knew the answer but offered no advice.
***************
Even though I'd have to meet the director and her secretary again tomorrow, I checked the time. [10:23 PM.] It was quite late, but the kids were likely still awake, so I could probably hand out the gifts I'd bought. Since Gloria probably hadn't eaten, I stopped by the Black Cell employee lounge to grab some easy snacks before heading over.
[Danger Zone]
[Inmate: Gloria]
The door was very familiar by now. The new cell also allowed me to check the inside from outside, so I glanced at the CCTV. Fortunately, Gloria was just staring blankly at the ceiling. There was no need to drag things out, so I entered the cell. The moment she heard the door, Gloria slowly turned her head toward me.
"You must have been waiting a long time, Gloria."
When I shook the late-night snacks and bedding in both hands, she silently sat up without answering. Up close, I could see her face was full of exhaustion.
'Don't tell me she stayed awake waiting for me?'
She was probably starving, so I immediately fed her a sandwich and milk before unwrapping the gift I'd bought. It was a warm blanket and pillow with a cozy texture. Receiving the new bedding, Gloria's eyes lit up in a way they hadn't before—she seemed to be in a good mood. Now that her stomach was full, though, she looked incredibly sleepy, nodding off.
"Don't worry about me and get some good sleep."
"Okay…"
I sat by Gloria's new bed and waited for her to fall asleep. Then her small fingers gently tugged at my sleeve. I couldn't help but smile at the gesture of gratitude, so very like her.
*****************
Whether it was because I was truly exhausted from how late it was, or because the new bedding was just that comfortable, Gloria quickly fell asleep and let go of my sleeve. I quietly left the cell and headed straight for Liberty. But when I checked the CCTV from outside, Liberty was curled up in a ball, fast asleep. There was no reason to wake a sleeping child, so I was about to head to Victory's room when—
'Kkhing?!'
Somehow detecting my footsteps, Liberty jolted awake and began frantically scratching at the door.
Scratch scratch scratch!!!
Scratch scratch!!
Woof woof!!
She was demanding I come in right now. Shaking my head at how energetic she was, I stepped inside.
"Papa!! Papa!!"
"Liberty, I'm sorry I'm late again."
"Kkeng…!"
Liberty always greeted me so warmly. Her face was a mess from just waking up, and like Gloria, she looked extremely sleepy, so I quickly gave her the gift as well.
Poof!
Flail flail flail!!
She was so happy she started playing with the blanket. I worried she might be too awake now, but the young Liberty quickly ran out of energy.
Thud!!
"Kkiing… kkiing…"
"I'll come see you again tomorrow, so don't worry."
Liberty looked terribly reluctant to part so soon after meeting. She struggled to keep her heavy eyes open, but after wrapping her in the blanket, I picked her up in a princess carry just like I did with Victory. She quickly fell fast asleep in my arms.
'Now there's only Victory left?'
The problem was that it was nearly midnight. Even though it was far too late, Victory had an unstable multiple personality disorder. If I showed favoritism, it would definitely cause serious trouble later, so I hurried to the next cell. Thankfully, the CCTV showed Victory was awake. She stood expressionlessly in front of the door, blinking. It was a frightening sight, but thinking about her situation only made me feel bitter. Since she might not remember our promise like last time, I prepared several excuses before opening the door. Fortunately, Victory's face lit up the moment she saw me.
"M-Maxwell-sir!!"
"I'm sorry for being so late, Victory."
This time, she remembered our promise. When I immediately gave her the gift like the other two children, Victory jumped so high she nearly reached the ceiling in her excitement. But after catching the scent of the other kids, she immediately pouted and began voicing her complaints as various personalities surfaced.
"Victory… Victory just needs Maxwell…"
Just like the empty bed sitting alone in her cell, Victory's inner world probably contained only me right now. The other kids were in similar situations.
'Is it because it's dawn that I'm getting sentimental?'
Originally, I'd met these children to survive. But now, I just wanted them to be even a little happy. So I made a suggestion to Victory.
"Then how about you live with me, Victory?"
"Y… yes?!"
"Ah, of course, together with the other children."
Victory's mood soared to the sky before crashing back to earth. Still, she didn't complain further, apparently deciding that living with me would be better. Afterward, even though it was a bit far off, I stayed with Victory while imagining a new future. But the day really had been so long that I must have been exhausted—I lost consciousness and fell asleep right there in Victory's cell.