The Gemini Princess wants me to confess my feelings!

Kirihara Akira agreed to her conditions, and she also agreed to some things.

Kisaragi Shiori will provide intelligence within a certain range, informing him of the current distribution and movements of some yakuza groups in the Tokyo area. This includes not all of them, but mainly the Suruga Group and Mishima Group under the Yamaei-kai.

"The Mishima Group and the Suruga Group are the Yamaei-kai's right and left arms, one a white glove and the other a black glove. Relatively speaking, the Suruga Group does a cleaner job, and they are responsible for a major source of revenue for the Yamaei-kai."

It's time for music class.

During their break, Shiori Kisaragi ordered takeout, and the two chatted while they ate.

Kirihara Akira frowned and said, "The sex trade, at most, involves taking a little more money from students. Can that really be considered the main revenue of the Yamaei-kai?"

She shook her head and said, "The sex trade is just the most basic link in their sales chain. Why do you think the Suruga Group would target those young and energetic girls?"

Because it makes money—this is a question that requires almost no thought to answer.

Kirihara Akira, however, did not give the obvious answer, but instead fell into thought.

Seeing his reaction, Shiori Kisaragi nodded in satisfaction and explained, "It's for making money, but in this day and age, even the underworld needs to expand its scale to make money."

Killing them after luring them in is a low-effort, unprofitable, and potentially short-sighted strategy.

At this point, Shiori Kisaragi frowned, clearly angered by her words. She said, "Most of the girls who were tricked ended up tragically, but they also knew when to stop. As the end of this industry chain, the Suruga Group promised the girls a beautiful vision."

"Making empty promises," Kirihara Akira said.

"They're maintaining a fragile balance. If it were just empty promises, they would have already caused a huge mess and given us leverage over them." Shiori Kisaragi, holding a rice ball, lifted it slightly before putting it down again, and continued:

"At the very beginning of the Suruga Group's supply chain, and at the very end, they have some 'very good role models,' namely Tenyo Entertainment under the Sanei-kai. There are many already famous artists and idols there. They coerce those girls and tell them that as long as they behave, they will be the next ones standing in the spotlight, enjoying the attention of millions and making a fortune."

Kirihara Akira understood, and the doubts in his heart were resolved.

He always felt that in this parallel world, with the underworld so rampant, their "business" couldn't possibly be small-scale. He wondered how the Suruga Group could support so many people under their command.

Kirihara Akira said, "The Suruga Group is the petri dish; Tenei Entertainment is where they make their money."

Shiori Kisaragi nodded and said, "Their framing of nearby students is essentially an extension of the chain, but I don't know much about this part, so I won't go into it for now."

Kirihara Akira finally pinpointed the connection between the police and the underworld: "So, the First Division sent you here to get close to the bottom of this chain?"

"The Suruga Group is the root of this poisonous tree, taking root in society and constantly plundering its resources. Unfortunately, these evidences are numerous and dense, and we lack manpower and energy. All these years of anti-fraud and anti-scam publicity work have been in vain. Door-to-door persuasion for individuals who have been scammed cannot keep up with the increasing number of victims. In the end, it is better to take the initiative and destroy their core."

Kirihara Akira rubbed his temples and suddenly said, "So they had you dress up as a recent college graduate musician just so these roots would come to you."

"You could say that," Shiori Kisaragi nodded.

Kirihara Akira suddenly sensed something was amiss. Looking at Kisaragi Shiori's face, he asked, "Wait a minute, isn't the infiltration plan classified? You just told me that?"

Shiori Kisaragi stared at him for a moment, then laughed and said, "Isn't this what you wanted to hear?"

Kirihara Akira realized that this guy still had some doubts about him.

What she said was likely bait, carefully selected content. If Kirihara Akira had connections with the underworld, and the two sides colluded, Kirihara Akira's side would be exposed.

Shiori Kisaragi laughed and said, "You probably haven't noticed, have you? Actually, someone has been following you for a while now."

"I did notice, but I thought it was either the madam or someone sent by the yakuza..." Kirihara Akira widened her eyes, feigning innocent ignorance: "I really didn't notice. What's going on? When did it start?"

"From the moment my identity is exposed," Shiori Kisaragi said, "I have to guarantee that you have no secret connections with the yakuza, or that you were simply sent by the yakuza to cause trouble."

Now, the identities of the guys who had been following him all along have been revealed.

Kirihara Akira slapped his forehead and said, "You still don't believe me? Were those pessimistic things you said about not wanting to do this anymore just to trick me?"

"Oh, no, it's not that. I do feel like I've lost the right to continue doing this job." Kisaragi Shiori took a bite of her rice ball, biting into the salty salmon roe, and said:

"But I'm not so rigid as to insist on self-destructing against my boss when I know there's a chance to make amends for my mistake."

Suddenly, Kirihara Akira called out, "Teacher."

"Hmm?" Kisaragi Shiori looked up.

"I suddenly find you very charming."

"Suddenly?" Shiori Kisaragi was a little speechless. "What kind of image did I have in your eyes before?"

"...Why are you reacting like this? I was praising you. Can't you be a little more shy?" Kirihara Akira said, shrugging.

"Hmph, how many people used to chase after me? I've heard all sorts of sweet words." Shiori Kisaragi smugly gloated for a while, then said, "In fact, I'd like to ask you something: you're calmer than I thought. You actually have the right to be angry, don't you?"

"What are you angry about? Are you angry that you sent people to investigate me?" Kirihara Akira wiped his hands and shrugged. "If you can't even go this far, I'll start to suspect that you paid your way into the First Investigation Division."

Shiori Kisaragi scoffed, "I got in through sheer merit."

"I know." Kirihara Akatsuki leaned back on the sofa, relaxed, and said, "After telling me all this today, do you think I've passed the test?"

"Mrs. Mori is a very prestigious and old-fashioned noblewoman. Since she allowed you to enter the Mori family, all I can do is trust her judgment," Shiori Kisaragi said. "Besides, I still need you to establish connections with the Mori family."

"Alright, let's take advantage of each other then. I'm also benefiting from the Mori family's influence." Kirihara Akira, having eaten and drunk her fill, felt sleepy and squinted her eyes slightly.

"I still want to remind you of something. Mr. Mori Hayato of the Mori family is a tough guy," Kisaragi Shiori said. "He recently went to the Suruga Group because of his daughter's matter. It is said that both sides were very impolite and there may be some big moves. You should be careful."

"It's okay. Whatever happens, you'll protect me, won't you?" Kirihara Akira said.

"Hey you, did you even listen to the conditions I just mentioned?" Shiori Kisaragi rolled her eyes and turned to say, "I'm not yours alone..."

She turned her head, and the words she was saying stopped abruptly.

The boy was asleep, breathing evenly and gently.

This guy… Shiori Kisaragi glared at him reproachfully.

He can't see it.

Shiori Kisaragi looked at him, intending to look away, but his young face was like a magnet, making her unwilling to move.

Shiori Kisaragi could tell that Akira Kirihara was hiding something, and that she was a very thoughtful person.

Although he tried to hide it, some traces of years of training could not be concealed.

Kirihara Akira is vigilant and cautious, rarely letting his guard down.

Does sleeping here so unguarded mean that I have gained his trust?

Thinking about this made her feel somewhat happy.

Immediately, she became confused by this happiness.

She rubbed her reddened earlobes, speechless for a moment.

Just now, Shiori Kisaragi told a lie.

She had many suitors back then, but she never had even one relationship.

I've never felt so embarrassed before when I heard someone compliment me.

"This guy is not reserved at all."