Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

I can at least say I understand it.

As everyone knows, the winery has three main departments, and let's not even talk about the research group.

The action group, primarily responsible for assassinations and direct combat, and the intelligence group, primarily responsible for intelligence and logistics, are the only two legitimate major factions.

The relationship between the two departments is not exactly one of irreconcilable conflict, but it is not exactly harmonious either. On the surface, they appear to be equal in status.

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Gin, the leader of the action team, is actually shorter than Rum, the leader of the intelligence team and also the organization's second-in-command.

The root cause of this phenomenon, besides the difference in seniority and ability between the two, is mainly the difference between the two departments.

The intelligence group and the action group seem to complement each other, but in reality...

Intelligence is fundamental.

The action group was merely adding to the existing structure.

After all, the importance of intelligence is self-evident.

The purpose of all these undercover agents boils down to nothing more than intelligence gathering.

Therefore, even two identical people will have different levels of importance depending on whether they are the leader of the action team or the leader of the intelligence team.

Furthermore, within these two major factions, there are also different smaller groups.

Or perhaps a lone wolf, roaming alone.

That's another story... In short, as Vermouth is a high-ranking official who is even higher than a pseudo-high-ranking official, and Amuro Tooru is a veteran official from another faction, Gin can't do anything directly with her.

Therefore, it is quite normal to take the form of an undercover agent.

Even if Sano were to actually infiltrate the intelligence group, besides those two, it's possible.

Heh, who knows what interesting things will happen next.

However, the key point is that Rum agreed to let Gin's people into the intelligence group—Sano doesn't think there's any strong sense of trust between the two that would allow him to be so unguarded.

No, this thing should be differentiated.

Gin's abilities are guaranteed.

Gin's loyalty to the organization is guaranteed.

However, the extent to which Gin is friendly towards Rum cannot be guaranteed.

In conclusion, this is why Sano believes Rum would agree to let Gin join the team.

There are two.

First, Rum was confident that he could turn Gin's nails into his own.

Second, the nail was so tempting that Rum couldn't resist.

Well, Sano thinks the latter factor is more significant.

After clicking his tongue, Sano made a phone call to Amuro Tooru.

Of course—it was called using the phone number belonging to the alias "Black Fox".

The call connected quickly... Well, not so quickly. Amuro Tooru seemed quite busy; the phone had barely finished ringing before he answered.

"Hey?"

Amuro Tooru's voice sounded a little breathless... well, not exactly breathless, but rather rather rapid, further confirming that he had been quite busy just now.

"Hello, Lord Bourbon, I'm the one Rum arranged for..."

Before Sano could finish speaking, Amuro Tooru interrupted him: "Oh, I know, new employee. I've already been informed in advance, but I'm a bit busy right now and might not have time to chat with you for long. I'll get back to you when I have time..."

"Hey!"

"What are you doing!?"

"Who gave you permission to chat during work hours? Have you finished your work? Hurry up!!"

Amuro Tooru also didn't finish his sentence.

Sano then vaguely heard the words coming from the other end of the phone again: [unintelligible characters].

"They're here, they're here..."

Amuro Tooru responded obsequiously twice before hanging up the phone.

"..."

Sano released his grip on her throat, clicked his tongue, and shook his head.

If Gin were to see one of his top executives being bossed around by a young woman in her early twenties in a coffee shop, what would happen?

They were even exploited to the point that they dared not utter a word.

I wonder what kind of thoughts they'll have... Embarrassing, yet secretly pleased?

After all, Amuro Tooru wasn't exactly liked by Gin.

Gin should be happy to see this guy get his comeuppance.

...But I just don't know how Gin managed to do it. He didn't even need Sano to do anything; Rum was able to precisely place him next to Amuro Tooru to do things.

Does Rum also agree with Gin's approach?

But then wouldn't that mean I wasn't an undercover agent... But then again...

His true identity is, on the surface, that of Amuro Tooru's subordinate. Compared to his current identity, wouldn't it be easier for him to get close to him? Why doesn't Gin choose to use his true identity?

Instead, they found another "someone" with whom they had little contact?

Is it a lack of confidence in one's own abilities, or a lack of confidence in one's own stance?

Finally, even if Rum arranged this, would Amuro Tooru really be willing to let him get involved in what he's currently busy with?

Sano fell into deep thought.

...Forget it, why think so much? It's all trivial stuff.

Sano got up, washed up, and ate.

Not long after, Amuro Tooru called.

Chapter 541, Amuro Tooru: I want to file a complaint!

However, this call was made to Sano's own number.

...He said he would reply when he had time.

As a result, you have time to call yourself, but not time to call "yourself"?

Sano secretly curled his lip, inwardly despising Amuro Tooru.

He's a smooth talker, a liar, a total scumbag.

"Hey... Boss, why are you calling me? Is something wrong?"

He almost changed the subject of Bourbon-sama's name to Sano.

...Suddenly I think I understand how Hattori Heiji feels.

"It's nothing serious."

Amuro paused for a moment, then chuckled, "And given the current situation, perhaps it's my turn to call you 'boss'."

"Ok?"

Sano feigned confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"

"What, don't tell me you didn't know?"

"What do you mean, how do I know that?"

Sano continued to play dumb, which made Amuro Tooru on the other end of the phone somewhat suspicious.

"Didn't Miss Zi mention this to you at all?"

"What exactly are we going to talk about?"

Sano's tone already carried a hint of impatience... since he was pretending.

Then we'll definitely have to keep up the act and deny it to the death.

As expected, after a moment of silence, Amuro Tooru sighed and spoke again, his tone noticeably more "serious".

"Actually, I'm working at your coffee shop right now."

"...What the heck???"

Sano calmly turned on his computer, but spoke with a tone full of doubt.

"You're too busy to hire part-time workers, so I thought I'd give it a try."

Amuro Tooru, of course, would never actually tell Sano his true purpose. After giving a brief explanation about the source, he began to explain the current situation.

"I didn't expect your store manager to be... so difficult to deal with."

"How to say?"

"That's fucking ruthless! It's practically exploitation, you know that?!"

"Yeah."

Sano typed on his computer: "Then why don't you just quit?"

“...That won’t do.”

"Why not?"

Sano casually said, "Could it be that you've taken a fancy to one of the two girls in my shop, Azusa or Aiko... If it's the latter, then I'd better give you a piece of advice in advance: forget about it."

"What is all this nonsense..."

Sano seemed to see Amuro Tooru rubbing his forehead in his mind's eye.

"I have a serious business to attend to at your shop. It's a secret mission, classified information, so I can't tell you the details. Telling you would only do more harm than good, understand?"

In order to make things proceed smoothly, Amuro Tooru finally revealed his true purpose... though he could only gloss over it.

"I understand, I understand."