Anime Crossover: My Part-Time Job as a Giant of Light While Studying Abroad in Chiba

Masaki Keigo suddenly let out a cold laugh, raising his voice so that it echoed in the empty laboratory.

"It seems that you have been completely corrupted by TPC's hypocritical pacifism, Horii."

"You're the one who's been corrupted; that kind of thinking is too dangerous."

Horii shouted sternly.

“Masaki, how did you become so extreme? You weren’t like this before.”

Horii had a serious expression, while Masaki Keigo on the other side had a smile on his face, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

"So it seems we've gone down different paths."

Horii swallowed hard, his right hand already reaching for the Victory Hyper gun at his waist.

"Horii".

Masaki Keigo suddenly broke the deadlock, his tone becoming calmer, even somewhat casual.

"I'm hungry, bring me that bag of red bean bread from the table."

This utterly incoherent statement left Horii frozen in place.

He glanced at the convenience store bag on the lab table a few meters away, then at Masaki Keigo.

"Red bean bread? Aren't you the most popular..."

"Bring it to me, Horii."

Masaki Keigo repeated it again, this time in a rather domineering tone, even with an unquestionable sense of command.

His eyes were fixed on Horii.

"..."

The two stared at each other for two seconds.

At this moment, Horii's super brain, as a top scientist, was working at lightning speed.

Finally, he slowly lowered his hand from the holster and tossed the red bean bread on the table into Masaki Keigo's hands.

"As I just said, it seems that the two of us are no longer on the same path."

Masaki Keigo took the bread with one hand and said indifferently.

"Besides you, no one in this world is worthy of doing top-notch scientific research with me."

“I originally wanted to invite you to participate in this great project, but now it seems that I am destined to walk this path alone.”

After saying that, Masaki Keigo suddenly threw a card in his hand at Horii.

Horii grabbed the card and looked down; it was the identity card that had just unlocked the research institute.

A complex mix of emotions welled up in his eyes instantly.

"Masaki, what exactly do you want?"

"I don't want to do anything. We have different values, so you can leave."

Masaki Keigo turned his back again, facing away from Horii as he looked at the data on the screen.

"Use my ID card to swipe up the elevator. Remember, you have to return it to me next time we meet."

"..."

Horii took a deep look at that lonely figure, clutched the ID card tightly in his hand, and slowly backed away.

Until the heavy metal doors of the research institute opened and closed again, completely cutting off their view of each other.

Hearing the electronic sound of the door locking, Masaki Keigo's ramrod-straight back relaxed slightly.

The empty laboratory was once again left with only him.

He sat back down at his computer desk, put the bag of red bean bread in his hand aside, and tore a hole in it.

Masaki Keigo took the hard drive out of his pocket, plugged it into the computer, and his fingers flew across the keyboard.

"I'm really tired today."

Masaki Keigo suddenly spoke to the empty laboratory, feigning exhaustion.

"Let's relax in the dry landscape garden on the north side of the main house at 10 p.m.

This statement sounded somewhat eerie in the empty laboratory.

Is he talking to someone?

……

The elevator slowly ascended, the doors opened, and the elegant garden scenery of the Shinomiya main family residence in Kyoto returned to Horii's view.

He walked out of the elevator, glancing back every few steps, clutching the ID card in his hand, a layer of cold sweat already seeping from his forehead.

"Strange...it's really too strange."

As Horii walked, he frantically reviewed the conversation he had just had.

"Why is it completely different from before? Although Masaki was arrogant and radical in the past, he definitely had the bottom line of a scientist. He would never have such crazy ideas."

Horii looked down at the ID card in his hand, which still had Masaki Keigo's ID photo and identity data printed on it.

He was deep in thought, his brow furrowed.

"No, it's not that simple."

"His behavior was really strange just now... especially when he asked me to get him that red bean bread!"

"Was that bread... left there waiting for a while?"

Horii recalled the look in Masaki Keigo's eyes at that time.

“He has had a severe allergy to beans since he was a child, especially red beans, which is the thing he hates the most.”

"Why did you have to interrupt me at that moment and make me hand him the bread?"

A bolt of lightning shattered Horii's thoughts.

"Unless... there's some reason he absolutely can't say, or... is he trying to tell me something?"

Furthermore, if it was truly a falling out, why would Masaki Keigo give him the identity card that allowed him free access to the core laboratory? And why would he specifically tell him to "remember to return it to me"?

Chapter 172 Hard-footed Shrimp

Just as Horii was walking along the stone path toward the villa where the TPC executives were staying, his mind was in complete turmoil.

"Horii, a member of the team."

A gentle voice suddenly came from ahead.

Horii looked up and saw Director Sawai standing there leisurely in a casual yukata.

"Director."

Horii quickly walked over.

"Don't be so formal, I was just about to come find you."

Sawai said with a smile.

"Looking for me...?"

"That's right, Horii. The signal jammer I privately asked you to make before we set off yesterday should be fine, right?"

Director Sawai's voice was very low.

"Report to the director! The jammer is definitely not the problem."

"I have tested it repeatedly in the laboratory. Once activated, any monitoring band and electronic signal within a ten-meter radius will be completely cut off."

Horii immediately straightened his chest and made a promise.

"That's good……"

Seeing the director's relieved yet extremely solemn expression, Horii pondered for a moment, but finally couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Director...may I ask if I may?"

Why are you suddenly asking me to prepare this?

Director Sawai did not answer immediately; he gave Horii a deep look.

After seemingly pondering for a long time, he slowly turned around and walked deeper into the courtyard.

"Come with me."

Horii felt a chill and quickly followed.

The two strolled through the quiet courtyard.

"Horui, you should know that in this meeting that concerns the fate of humanity, uncertainties and the inherent distrust among people will greatly affect the progress of the meeting."

Director Sawai's voice sounded somewhat heavy in the wind.

"Once the seed of doubt is planted, everything you see will inevitably be tainted with extreme motives."

"Yes, such preconceived notions must not be brought into the negotiations between the two sides."

Horii responded immediately, but had a vague sense of unease.

The two slowly walked to the Japanese-style suites of Sawai and Director Yoshioka.

"However, I think that someone with a brain as smart as yours will have their own independent judgment and opinions no matter what they do or see."

Sawai slowly pushed open the sliding door.

In the spacious tatami room, the usually hot-tempered Director Yoshioka was sitting cross-legged at a low table with a serious expression.

He clutched a document tightly in his hand, his brow furrowed like a lion ready to pounce at any moment.

"Therefore, I would still like you to take a look at this document."

Sawai closed the door, cutting off all outside sight.

Horii looked at Director Sawai, and a hint of seriousness appeared in his usually amiable eyes.

"I see."

Horii swallowed hard and gave a heavy reply.

He stepped forward and took the document.

……

At dusk.

The Tokyo Tower outside the window lit up with dazzling lights, echoing the sunset on the horizon.

"I didn't expect even Mr. Taiga to come. Seven just left yesterday. If you had come a day earlier, you might have been able to meet him."

Hibino Mirai walked over carrying a generous plate of teriyaki pork ribs and said with some regret.

"It's really a pity."

Hong Kai, nestled in the soft sofa, also turned over, now holding a book titled "The Secret of Human Nature."

"Alright, Kaisan, stop reading those weird books. Dinner is ready."

Duan Zilian quickly typed a few paragraphs on her phone, then walked over with a somewhat helpless expression and kicked the edge of the sofa.

"Yoshi!"

Hong Kai nimbly sprang to his feet and deftly tossed the book under the TV cabinet.

"Eat! Eat! I'm starving!"

Several people sat around a large dining table.

Dahe Wang sat at the dining table, looking at the abundant and delicious dishes, and for a moment he was a little stiff and at a loss.

He originally intended to leave, after all, he had always touted himself as a "lone wolf".

However, under the crazy, explosive protests in his mind from Zero, such as "If you don't stay, I will stay" and "Ultraman warriors should stay together," he finally stayed, his face flushed.

"Um... thank you so much for your help."

Dahe Wang picked up his chopsticks somewhat awkwardly.