Mine
The word mine refers to a sunny place. A spot bathed in bright light, which makes it a terrible location for hiding anything. And yet, where there is light, darkness always lurks.
“Ugh!?”
That’s why I was thrown here. Into a narrow back alley in the middle of a bright, sunlit city, a place no one would think to visit. A spot where the hot wind blasting from humming outdoor units made the air thick and humid.
“Speak.”
Crack. Fingers twisted. The clenched fist was so tight that blue veins stood out clearly.
“What the hell did I even do?”
“…”
The twitching eyebrows didn’t look pleased. Had she not heard the conversation?
“If anyone deserves to be treated like this, it’s—”
“Plotting behind the boss’s back. With Kerberos, no less.”
So that was the problem. This might be the moment when Kerberos’s lies became a little clearer.
“That’s… I’m sorry. I had something to ask her.”
“Wouldn’t it have been better to ask me instead of listening to that bitch?”
Well, to be fair, you need both sides of the story to know the truth. Besides, I wanted to hear the parts she wouldn’t tell me. But I couldn’t exactly say that outright—
“It’s nothing. Between her and me. Satisfied now?”
Nothing? As in, absolutely no connection at all?
“…Kerberos told a slightly different story.”
“That bitch? Ha. What, did she conveniently leave out all the dirty errands she made me run?”
“Errands?”
“What else? Drowning people and carving them up, obviously. I told you before. All five executives dumped the nasty work on me. Every last one of them.”
She had said Kerberos still took good care of her… but maybe that didn’t mean anything. Seeing her scratch her head in irritation like that.
“The way that woman was nice to me was only because she wanted to fill the gaps in her pathetic little faction. No, she wasn’t even that nice. She tossed me some dusty storage room and a ratty blanket as ‘support.’ Well, I did get food out of it, at least…”
“Hey.”
That was the most important part. Someone who ate as much as she did couldn’t just brush it off as no big deal.
“Still. It doesn’t change the fact that everything I did was for someone else’s benefit. And it doesn’t change the fact that she betrayed me.”
“I suppose so.”
Now that I knew the full story, I could breathe a little easier. If I had owed a serious debt to someone other than myself, I might not have been able to keep Bianca close.
“But. Is that all?”
However, the interrogation showed no signs of ending. Her icy gaze remained unchanged.
“Two. What were you two doing at that café that you were practically glued together? And so close, too.”
“Ah, that was…”
“Did that bitch lay a hand on you?”
How did she know? Should I even tell her? If their relationship soured, I’d lose a valuable card. Especially one that could spew powerful flames at will. That ability was tempting.
“Fuck, I should’ve known the moment she started eyeing what’s mine.”
I heard her muttering, but what really made my blood run cold were the claws she extended. This was bad. If it turned into a fight right now, it wouldn’t end as a minor scuffle.
“C-calm down. I’m fine.”
“Just answer me. What the hell were you doing with that bitch that you didn’t even touch your drink and kept flirting?”
…Wait. Something about this interrogation was taking a strange turn. Flirting?
“Answer me quickly. Before I tear that bitch apart.”
“W-what? No, no, the atmosphere wasn’t good at all. It was about territory, so we were just sizing each other up. That’s all. Really.”
“You were sizing each other up while holding hands and standing that close?”
“Hng…!”
I barely held back a scream. As expected, the burn. A sharp, intense pain shot through my captured arm.
“Are you seriously into women?”
“I keep telling you I’m not.”
“I can smell that bitch’s perfume on you. That obnoxiously expensive one she used to brag about to me. That disgusting scent is all over your body.”
“What?”
Scent? What was she— I tried to breathe in to check, but Bianca tightened her grip as if the sight displeased her.
“Answer me. What did you do?”
The pain grew worse. A sharp sting radiated from skin that might have already blistered.
“Take it easy…!”
“Did that bitch offer to give herself to you? Huh? Did you like her pretty little face that much?”
Even though I was clearly in pain, she shoved me against the wall as if I didn’t matter, jabbing at my chest. Damn it, why does she keep treating me like an object?
“If you keep acting like this, I’ll—”
“I can do that much for you too.”
Just as I was about to snap back in anger, Bianca pulled me into her arms. Her body trembled slightly.
“If it’s… you, maybe it’s okay. If you really like women… I can do it for you.”
“What are you even saying right now—”
“Don’t go to other bitches.”
Had I missed something? Why was she tearing up and saying such ridiculous things?
“If the only reason you helped me this far was because of my body, then just take it. So—”
“Wait, I can’t follow what you’re saying. Just calm down for a second.”
“I’m telling you not to get attached to that bitch.”
Ah. So that’s what this was about? She was afraid of losing her strategist?
“Hold on. Ha… How do I even explain this.”
“Why? Is it because she has longer hair, smells nice, and has a much more feminine body? So someone like me—”
“How many times do I have to say it? I’m not!”
Of course, she was the elegant, well-ripened type. I never imagined Kerberos would be that kind of woman. And honestly, Bianca didn’t lose out at all when it came to body.
“Why do you keep jumping to conclusions about me and women? Do I really look like that kind of person to you?”
“T-that’s…”
Only now did she seem to come to her senses. As if she was struggling to deal with the words she had just spat out, Bianca slowly backed away, groaning.
“Don’t ever say that kind of thing to anyone else. I’m only putting up with it because it’s you.”
“…Y-yeah?”
It was a good thing Bianca was the only card I could use right now. If I had real power and multiple connections, I might have quit long ago. Taking care of her every day was exhausting enough.
“And.”
I hadn’t wanted to go this far. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how much I could calm her down… but I showed her the wound on my arm. It was quite red… Ha, if I didn’t slap a scar-covering bandage on it, this could become a problem.
“What the hell is this.”
“What else? It’s the wound that Kerberos—the one you were so anxious about—left behind.”
“…What?”
“She suspected I was a cop or something. I didn’t give her my name or show my face. She asked to see it. When I refused—”
“That fucking bit—”
I knew it. I immediately threw myself in front of her to block the way.
“Move.”
“I need this. I need it. And it’s not even that bad of an injury.”
When she tried to shove me aside and pass, I slipped my hand into hers and pushed back. I knew she wouldn’t be stopped, but at least… Huh? Why isn’t she moving?
“U-uh?”
Somehow, I had ended up in a wall-pinning position. That wasn’t what I intended. Our heights should be almost the same, so why… why am I looking down at her?
“Sorry.”
I tried to pull my hand away immediately—but this time she wouldn’t let go. Why is she holding on again? Isn’t it uncomfortable?
“T-tell me. What is it.”
If she’s going to be embarrassed, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place. What is this? Wait, is she seriously trying to seduce me with her body right now, thinking it’ll work?
“Look, Miss Bianca. You don’t have to do this. I’m already on your side.”
“…Don’t talk so stiffly.”
“What?”
“Don’t talk to me so formally anymore. Not between us.”
She was talking as if we had some grand relationship. I thought about smacking her on the head with my other hand, but the fear of retaliation stopped me. So instead—
“…Ugh, hey.”
“I appreciate you thinking of me as talented, but you don’t have to do all this. I’ll stay right by your side anyway, so don’t worry.”
Her hair was surprisingly soft and pleasant to touch. It had volume and flowed smoothly. It really felt like petting a fluffy dog’s fur.
“And Kerberos… is necessary for the next plan, so let’s let this one slide.”
“She touched what’s mine.”
No matter how many times I say no, she keeps treating me like an object. …Well, since I’m letting her treat me like a dog right now, maybe we’re even.
“This much isn’t even a wound. It’ll heal qui—ack!”
“See? It does hurt.”
If you know that, then don’t touch it…! Still, the way she gently stroked it as if to soothe the pain… Sigh. I guess she was worried in her own way.
“If something like this happens again, I won’t stop you next time.”
“…What, when you cheat on me with another bitch?”
“What cheating—!”
If a glare is enough to shut me up… then so be it. If Bianca says so, what complaint could I possibly have?
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll make sure nothing like this happens again.”
“Next time you go somewhere, contact me… first.”
She says she hates being treated like a dog. Of course, the sensation of having my head stroked wasn’t entirely unpleasant for me either, which is why I was letting this happen. I steadily supported her body as she leaned into me more and more, continuing to comfort her.
“…Um, by the way. How did you know I was here?”
The sudden thought slipped out of my mouth. It was also strange how Bianca, who was supposed to be a wanted criminal, had come all the way into the city like this.
“Ah. That, um…”
Why couldn’t she answer? Did she have some secret too?
“That’s— Ah, no. Why should I have to explain that!”
“I told you everything!?”
She suddenly got angry and shot to her feet. I kept going along with her, but… she really was an incomprehensible character.
“I’m going home. Come if you want.”
She roughly tied her shoelaces and got into position—wait, no way.
“How did you get all the way here?”
“…I ran.”
“From home? All the way here? What about a car or a bike? You didn’t ride anything?”
She just nodded. Was she really just ridiculously, stupidly strong?
“Well… if we’re going back together anyway, you can just ride with me.”
“Don’t I need to cover my face?”
“Ah…”
Right. Her hair color was too noticeable, and her face wasn’t exactly plain either.
“Here, take this mask… and you wear this.”
I took off the zip-up hoodie I was wearing and handed it to her. Her eyes were trembling violently.
“Yeah, yeah, I know you don’t like it—”
“N-no— No, no.”
What? I thought she hated it. But she snatched it and put it on immediately. What the hell?
“Does it still smell like that woman?”
She shook her head vigorously while sniffing it… Was it my sweat? Damn it, this is so embarrassing. What am I even doing?
“Hey, hey, don’t wear it if you’re going to be like that—don’t—”
…Look at those eyes. What is it now?
“Ha… The size is.”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? Hss—”
I told her to stop sniffing it. Ah, whatever.
“Let’s just go home…”
If every outing is this exhausting, what am I supposed to do?