Chapter 71

"Charge!"

"Wow! That's looking good. I think you're done with the knife techniques for now."

It was the first day of my part-time job. In the training room in the basement of the office building, I was learning how to use the 'Enhancement' ability and various combat techniques from Dies, the head of security.

"Still, your improvement is monstrous. At this rate, you'll probably master all the techniques I have in about two weeks. But more importantly..."

With a sidelong glance at Kuro, Shiro, and Rin, who were emitting quiet hostility from the corner of the training room, Dies continued.

"Can't you do something about them? Their hostility is so intense it's hard to concentrate."

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."

The reason Kuro and the others were there was that they had followed me, worried about my part-time job where I would be working with the psychics I had fought before. When I asked Miss Kurenai, "Can I bring my sister and pets since my parents are far away and I'll be alone at home during my shift?" she readily agreed. Moreover, it seemed that during my shift, staff members who were free would take care of Rin and the others.

"Aww, so cute! Your name is Rin? Do you want some ice cream?"

"Kyaa, Kuro, so fluffy~ I'll bring you some cat food later~"

"A rare white crow, so cool! You're so calm and your feathers are so smooth!"

Rin and the others, while being doted on by the female staff in the office building, were still directing their hostility towards Dies.

What is this situation?

By the way, Uru is in a spirit form, floating around me, unusually quiet today.

"Well, it's about time. Let's get ready."

"Got it. Kuro, Shiro, Rin, wait here quietly until I'm done with my shift."

"Okay."

"Meow."

"Caw..."

"Wow! Kuro and Shiro are responding! So cute~!"

"Rin, you're such a good girl. Do you want some chocolate?"

Kuro and the others agreed to wait quietly in the building, as long as they didn't interfere with my work. Besides, the female staff are so enthusiastic that they can't follow me.

"Let's change into the suits and head to the site. I'll explain the job on the way."

"Understood."

I took a quick shower and changed into the suit that had been prepared for me. It was a custom-made suit, similar to what the security personnel wear, made of a material that is easy to move in and highly resistant to blades. The suit alone costs more than my monthly part-time salary, so I'll have to be careful not to dirty it.

"The job is divided into two main parts: escorting staff to and from work and handling disputes in the stores."

"Is it the dispute handling today?"

"Yes, you'll need to patrol the stores. Please learn the details from the staff on site."

"Got it."

I should use polite language with Dies as a junior at work, but I don't want to show respect after the incident with Shizukanae and the others, so I continue to use casual language. It's a delicate relationship.

I'll use polite language only when other staff are around.

"I am the head of security for this store. I'll explain the procedures right away."

"Nice to meet you."

On the first day, I'm guarding a high-end cabaret in a prime location in Sapporo. A veteran-looking middle-aged man in a black suit will teach me various things.

The store is decorated with gold everywhere, and there are several huge chandeliers on the ceiling. What is this place? Another world?

"Basically, you'll monitor the security cameras in the waiting room and mark any troublesome customers. If a problem occurs, you'll respond immediately and handle the situation accordingly."

"Trouble at table 3!"

"Right away. Follow me. I'll show you how to handle it."

"Okay."

At the problematic table, three men in their late 20s were shouting about poor service and bad drinks, causing a disturbance.

"Sir, is there a problem?"

The veteran in the black suit grabbed the hand of a man about to throw a bottle and addressed the rowdy men. Meanwhile, the waiter was evacuating the cabaret girls who were serving them. It was a perfect combination.

"Was there something unsatisfactory about our service? If so, we'd like to hear about it. Would you please come to the discussion room?"

"Huh? Shut up, old man! I was talking to the girls. Bring me the one who served the bad drink!"

The men, showing no signs of listening, lunged at the veteran in the black suit. One against three is tough. I should help.

"Hey, is a kid doing bodyguard work here? A kid who can't even drink, trying to act cool!?"

As I was thinking this, one of the men suddenly doused me with alcohol.

"This is on me!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!!"

"..."

I can wash my hair, but the suit is soaked. A borrowed suit...

"Sir, you seem quite drunk."

"What did this kid say? ...Ugh!"

"Hey, what... Gah!"

"Guh..."

"It seems they've fallen asleep. Maybe the alcohol hit them?"

'Gender Equality Punch x3'!

The men lost consciousness without even realizing what happened, collapsing onto the sofas as if they were sitting down. Perfect, just as I calculated.

I made the suit pay for it!

"Take the customers to the back... No, never mind."

The waiters, who didn't understand what had happened, were given instructions by the veteran in the black suit, and the situation was quickly resolved.

The 'Gender Equality Punch' was so fast that it might not even show up in slow-motion on the security cameras. It's an incredibly fast uppercut; only a skilled person would notice it.

"Mr. Yuki. I need to talk to you later. Is that okay?"

"Ah, sure."

The veteran in the black suit said this with a serious expression.

Huh? Did he notice?

◇

In the empty house of Kousuke, a single sword was placed, surrounded by a barrier.

"..."

The blade of the katana, untouched by anyone, began to slide out of the scabbard.

"..."

The sword transformed into a thin rapier, effortlessly passing through the barrier that surrounded it and falling to the floor.

"..."

The rapier then transformed back into a sword, as if surveying the room, reflecting the objects within on its blade.

"..."

The sword, reflecting the house key hanging on the wall, instantly changed into a key, much smaller in volume and mass than itself.

"..."

In the empty house of Kousuke, the living room contained a scabbard surrounded by a barrier and a key that had fallen below it.