I've already done him a kindness. If he gets exposed, that's his bad luck. I'll just deny everything later. Better one dead than two.
That was Hoshino's plan.
Makima suddenly said, "So Hoshino-kun is a cat person."
Hoshino panicked and immediately tried to distance himself. "I don't know. Has nothing to do with me—huh?"
He froze, stepped forward, and stopped beside her.
In the tight corner between the closet and the wall, a black cat stood upright with its back pressed to the angle, looking horrified.
It looked exactly like Tom facing Jerry's absurdly overpowered cousin.
"What—when did you get in here? I told you I'm a dog person!" Hoshino demanded.
The cat shivered, raised a paw, and waved like a beckoning lucky cat. "Meow~"
Hoshino crouched down and poked its soft chest fluff. "I can barely take care of myself. Out. Out."
The cat looked relieved. Its amber eyes flicked nervously from Hoshino to Makima as it edged sideways along the closet, inch by inch.
It was almost out of the corner. Half its body was already soaked in moonlight. One turn and it could bolt. But its gaze slid toward the rumpled sleeve hanging right beside it.
That sleeve looked like pickled vegetables.
Not entirely Hoshino's fault. Most college-aged guys living alone were disasters. The fact that he wore clothes indoors at all was already admirable.
But right now, that messy fabric seemed to radiate some mysterious pull. The cat froze, unable to move forward.
Something flipped inside it. Its whiskers twitched wildly. It shoved a paw down hard onto the sleeve.
"Don't you dare." Hoshino glared.
The cat ignored him completely. Its paw moved faster and faster, combing the wrinkles out with manic determination. The creases slowly smoothed under rapid-fire kitty punches.
Hoshino glanced at Makima.
Makima watched with a quiet smile. Hoshino felt like every ounce of dignity he ever had evaporated.
When the sleeve finally straightened, the cat relaxed, as if a burden had been lifted. It turned to leave—only for its paw to be pinched between Hoshino's fingers.
"I changed my mind. You're staying to suffer with me," Hoshino said icily.
The cat exploded into fluff, screeching in panic. Its legs windmilled frantically, but his grip was iron.
A sharp hand chop landed on its neck. The black cat went stiff, eyes rolling back, tongue flopping out as it passed out cold.
Hoshino snorted. "Who do you think you're dealing with?"
"Hoshino-kun, I have a task for you," Makima said.
He stood at attention on instinct and snapped a salute. "I'll complete the mission!"
"Mm. That's the salute of Young Pioneers."
"Huh?"
"International affairs have been unstable. Strange organizations are moving around. We're short-staffed. Everyone's schedules are packed."
She continued, her tone light but her words anything but.
"This afternoon, eight of our members died fighting Chinese spies. One of the fallen had been assigned to serve as head coach of the kendo club at National Governance University. The Public Safety Bureau and the school arranged this a long time ago. It can't be canceled. We can't spare another person. Since you're already a student in that university, I want you to take over."
Hoshino stared blankly and pointed at himself. "Me? Kendo club? Head coach?"
Somehow all the Japanese words formed a sentence he couldn't comprehend.
"But I don't know kendo at all!" He wasn't lying.
Futoshi Hoshino's school, Fourth East High, had a legendary kendo club. Their principal, Minamoto Fujitake, descended from the famed Minamoto samurai clan.
That branch had switched from warriors to a swordsmanship lineage in the Edo period. Their children trained from young, won tournaments, then became instructors in the police department as a stepping stone into government.
Everyone at school knew this. But none of it had anything to do with Hoshino. He was a proud member of the go-home club. If he had time to spar in a dojo, he'd rather take a detour home to kill someone for fun.
"Hoshino-kun is very smart. You'll learn quickly."
"But university clubs are hardcore, especially in a top school. A lot of them were regional or national champions in high school. I'll get exposed in a day!"
"Have faith in yourself."
"I can't—"
Makima's smile shifted, and Hoshino wisely shut his mouth.
Fine. Head coach is head coach. It won't kill me… hopefully.
Makima really wasn't terrible to him. She even allowed him to attend his graduation ceremony.
"I'll arrange someone to assist you. As a deputy coach." Makima added.
Hoshino agreed quickly. Then suspicion crept in.
Didn't she say they were short-staffed? How come there's suddenly an extra person… and as my assistant? Can I trust this?
"Also, Kobeni Higashiyama submitted her resignation, and I approved it."
"…."
He stayed silent. Makima continued.
"So your team assignment will be adjusted. You'll join a squad with three others. One of them is Aki-kun. You'll move into their shared dorm tomorrow."
"…I like living alone."
"Mm?"
"That was before. Now I like living with four people."
"Good." Makima nodded, satisfied.
"And lastly, if Hoshino-kun wants to go to America and make a Contract with the Fire Devil, you can leave for New York right after graduation."
"Huh?"
"A mission tied to the Gun Devil. If you take it, we'll give you the identity you need. You can look for the Fire Devil's Contract method while you're there."
"Can I give you an answer later?"
"Before the graduation ceremony ends."
Makima continued, "Our agents in the Soviet Alliance sent word. Their side already deployed combat members. And the identity we'd provide requires you to make a Contract with the Human Skin Devil. That method is held by an American organization."
Hoshino frowned. "Sounds difficult."
"Of course. Otherwise it wouldn't be entrusted to you."
She added calmly, "The other two factions are permanent members of the UN Security Council. World-level superpowers. Their agents are the strongest. I don't trust anyone else with this."
"…Alright. I'll answer before graduation ends."
They talked a bit longer about miscellaneous things. She reminded him to practice his English conversation.
Before she left, she said something that lingered like smoke.
"Hoshino-kun, if you obey me, you can live happily for the rest of your life."