Chapter 3

Godo Genki was speeding through the night sky.

He was already significantly late. It wasn't because of his best friend's birthday party.

If he hadn't had to go back to headquarters to get his uniform, he would have been the first to arrive at the scene and eliminate the target.

Even in an emergency, the Self-Defense Force operates on the principle that activities must be conducted in uniform.

It was his bad luck that he had left his uniform at headquarters during his leave. For him, who also had a life as a student, it was difficult to respond quickly to emergencies on weekdays.

Genki landed among the Self-Defense Force personnel gathered at the site of the manifestation.

When he saw Rin writing various things on a document, he approached her.

"This is terrible... Can you tell me the damage caused by the 'target'?"

"As you can see...

Nakai Lieutenant Colonel is in a serious condition, unconscious. Miyagi Lieutenant and Shigishima Major are probably...

The damage to civilians is immeasurable...

The 'target' is missing. There are no witnesses."

Rin said this with her eyes downcast, but she didn't show any emotion.

"I see..."

Before his eyes, the ground was cracked.

Even though it was an extraordinary manifestation, the damage was unprecedented.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

He took out his work phone from his pocket and answered the call.

The screen displayed "Ohashi Lieutenant."

"Hello, Hitomi."

"Hello, Genki?

After investigating, it seems that Anonymous intervened. The 'target' was likely protected by Anonymous, and we received orders to withdraw from above."

"Understood, thank you."

After hanging up, he put the phone back into the pocket of his white uniform.

If the 'target' was protected by Anonymous, further pursuit would only cause more damage.

The work he sent to the headquarters would also increase.

However, what was the meaning of protecting a person with such a significant manifestation?

With this question in mind, Genki touched the crack in the ground.

"What kind of ability is this..."

Seeing this, a nearby investigation team member muttered.

"Wave-type... No, I can't tell..."

Without witnesses, the 'target's ability could not be predicted.

The only witness, Nakai Lieutenant, was in a serious condition and unconscious.

However, it was clear that it was an extraordinary manifestation.

If protected by Anonymous and turned into an enemy, it would become a troublesome existence.

Suddenly, Genki thought of his best friend, Kazuto.

His house was close to here, but it should have narrowly escaped the damage.

He hoped he was safe.

Genki sent an email to Kazuto on his personal phone and turned around.

Three stars, his silver lieutenant badge glowed mysteriously.

---

The elevator descended with a rumbling sound, heading underground.

I looked at the boss standing next to me.

I never imagined this person would be the leader of Anonymous.

While thinking about this, I noticed my phone vibrating and looked at the screen.

It was an email from Genki.

"Something big is happening, are you okay?"

I replied to the email with "I'm fine, I'm staying home."

Still, it's surprising that there's cell service here.

I was currently being led by the boss to Anonymous' hideout.

The location was in the basement of a café on the outskirts of town.

The Self-Defense Force would never expect Anonymous' hideout to be here.

There are multiple entrances to the hideout, and their locations are changed regularly.

My body ached.

But the injuries had been treated with first aid.

The boss said that someone with healing abilities would treat me when we arrived at the hideout. So I just had to endure a little longer.

I had parted ways with the Anonymous woman earlier.

She was handling the aftermath to keep my identity hidden, mainly by cleaning up bloodstains and disrupting information.

I don't know how she does it.

"Boy, do you know what your ability is?"

The boss's voice suddenly echoed in the elevator.

Surprised, I answered.

"…I have a vague idea."

"You don't have to be so formal, you can speak casually."

Can I really speak casually to the boss of Anonymous?

No, I can't.

He is also my savior.

"I can't do that."

"I see, …well, it's fine.

More importantly, your ability."

I gently traced the ring on my middle finger. The unfamiliar sensation of the ring tightening slightly on my finger made me feel uncomfortable.

This is a prototype of a power suppression ring that Anonymous is secretly developing.

I've calmed down a lot, but I don't know when my ability might go out of control again, so I was told to wear this until I can control my ability.

Since it's still in the prototype stage, the expected effect is minimal.

My ability. Now I can clearly understand it.

"My ability is… probably sound."

"Yes, your ability is sound.

You are the first person in the world to manifest the ability to control sound.

It is a top-tier ability among natural control abilities."

I had never heard of a sound-controlling ability.

Is it really that powerful? I can't quite grasp it.

I was about to ask what the boss's ability is when he interrupted me.

"By the way, I haven't asked your name, boy."

"Kamiya, Kazuto."

"I see, a good name.

However, in Anonymous, you are not allowed to use your real name. I am the only one who handles personal information.

This means that I will be the only one who knows your real name from now on.

So, I will give you a new codename."

And the boss continued.

"From now on, your name will be Shin-On."

Shin-On, as the name was announced, the elevator chimed, signaling its arrival.

The elevator doors opened.

"Let's go, Shin-On."

"Understood, Boss."

I gave a slightly cheeky response and stepped out.

---

After receiving treatment, I went to the boss's room.

The boss's face, without the mask, looked to be in his late 20s, but he was actually older. I didn't get to know his exact age.

"Welcome to Anonymous. Let's welcome you."

The boss, sitting in a luxurious swivel chair, said this.

"Since you are now a member of Anonymous, of course, we need Shin-On to work.

But first, you need to learn to control your ability.

For that, I will assign you a partner.

Take this."

The boss threw something to me.

Catching it with one hand, I realized it was a key.

"It's the key to your room. You will share a room with your partner.

He is a strong one, but he has the skills. He is your age and has been in this world for a long time."

"Wait a minute. Am I going to live here?"

"Yes, I may have given you the wrong impression.

That's not the case.

Shin-On will attend school regularly. Of course, you will keep your ability hidden.

You will also receive a salary for working. Your monthly salary will be 450,000 yen.

If you take on individual missions, you will earn more."

450,000 yen a month...

Is it higher than my father's salary...?

"Do you have any questions? I can't answer everything, but feel free to ask."

I have a lot of questions.

Funding sources, true intentions, and so on.

But, it doesn't matter now.

I am already a member of Anonymous.

I will fight to survive here. Since I have killed someone, I can no longer hope for my previous life.

If I come out in the open, I will be held responsible...

I don't want to die unjustly.

My ears rang slightly again.

Does my ability tend to go out of control when I'm excited?

Calm down, me.

"I don't have any specific questions."

I said.

The boss slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

"I see. If you have any questions, ask your partner."

"Understood.

Then, I'll take my leave."

Saying this, I left the boss's room.

---

Anonymous' hideout was vast. At least, it was vast enough to get lost.

It was well-equipped, truly a hideout.

Now, I stood in front of my room with the key the boss gave me.

I had managed to find my way here.

I could hear sounds from inside.

My partner must be in there.

I swallowed hard.

What kind of person is my partner?

I was a bit nervous.

There was no point in standing here, so I opened the door with the key.

The first thing that caught my eye was a shock.

I thought it would be a simple room, but it was full of life.

And the smell of a girl, like Rin's room, tickled my nostrils.

"Who are you!?"

A voice came from inside.

A blonde girl ran over, making a racket.

"Who are you... Why do you have the key to my room!?"

The blonde girl glared at me.

It doesn't seem to be dyed. It's probably her natural hair.

She's quite cute, though.

She's short, though.

We're the same age, right?

"I was told by the boss... Am I not your partner?"

"Huh? That guy is doing whatever he wants again... I don't need a partner."

The door slammed shut.

This is a problem. What should I do?

Moreover, is it okay to have a female partner?

I don't want a partner like that.

It seems that the boss didn't inform her about becoming my partner. Maybe the boss made a mistake.

While I was thinking about this, I heard the sound of a phone ringing from inside the room.

The sound of the phone being picked up. It must be her.

"Hello.

Can you stop doing whatever you want?"

"No way, absolutely not."

"That's..."

"Fine, I understand. There's nothing I can do..."

It seems my hearing has improved significantly.

Even with the ring on, I can pick up various sounds if I concentrate.

Maybe I'm suited for stealth operations.

"Okay, okay, I understand.

I understand!"

The sound of the call ending.

It seems the call with the boss was over.

After a while, the door opened.

"You can come in.

I'll reluctantly be your partner."

It seems I have a troublesome partner.

---