“─So, that’s how it is?”

“Yes, Boss.”

Omega, the head of City Z, listened as one of his subordinates reported on new information about the musician he met at a corporate exchange party not long ago. This information was about the partner that Regalia had brought from Evil Corporation.

A miraculous artist that had charmed the corporate chaebols of every city with just a single listen. A genius pianist who danced down from the moon. Information about Raemon.

‘He was kidnapped once, and Evil Corporation spent over a hundred million dollars to get him back…’

This was confirmed through a villain locked up in a holding cell and a bank employee who had monitored the transaction live at that time. No matter how great Evil Corporation is, they couldn’t hide everything perfectly. Especially not from someone of a similar caliber.

It was quite shocking that they spent a hundred million dollars to secure a hostage. Sending such a large sum to a kidnapper without any guarantee of getting the hostage back was almost a gamble even for a corporate chairman.

The fact that they sent the money without certainty of retrieval, and that the amount was already difficult to manage even for a corporate chairperson—this hinted at one crucial fact.

The identity of Raemon.

“……I see. So that’s who he is—”

Evil Corporation had recently achieved absurd scientific successes. They were developing a black magic wand sized circuit with processing power exceeding most latest model computers, and had heard that the anti-gravity device was already a guaranteed winner of ABC-level awards.

Until now, Evil Corporation was already a giant with unparalleled technology in City E, but this was something else entirely. I thought there had to be a reason behind this—until this missing link was finally revealed.

“He was the developer of that technology.”

The scientist that Evil Corporation kept hidden.

Understanding Raemon’s identity made Omega smile lightly.

“─He slipped up! Finally!”

The gap that Regalia couldn’t hide. The fortunate accident that allowed Omega to seize that opportunity.

Upon realizing this, the first thing Omega did was block off any information that others may uncover related to this fact. While it would be nice to simply eliminate the witnesses—the rookie villains and the bank employee—there were “detectives” who could piece things together from the sight of someone’s death, so that plan was out.

“Have the witnesses’ memories erased.”

“Yes, understood. Boss.”

“And arrange a meeting with the mayor of City E. Set an official visit.”

“Understood.”

In no time, Omega organized the schedules, eagerly awaiting the moment to meet that man and bring him to his city.

*

“Whoa? Is that Eight?”

“Levi-tan?”

“Call me Levi-tang!”

Sitting in the lobby of the evil organization’s headquarters, I tilted my head, noticing the familiar figure of Levi-tan entering. Given she usually held a police job on the side, it was rare for her to step into the evil organization out of the blue.

“What brings you to headquarters?”

“Eh? That’s rude! As if I’d just barge in if there was nothing going on… I’m on vacation!”

“Oh—so you got time off!”

Levi-tan said that, energetically making a V with her fingers to signal she had a whole week off. I couldn’t help but admire her dedication.

Who else shows up to work faithfully on their day off? No one would ever know she took leave if she just stayed home!

Online TV streaming services

 

She was such a diligent worker that it was almost concerning. As I gaped at her, Levi-tan gave a broad smile, her trademark bunny ears perked up.

“Are you surprised too, Eight?”

“Well, I’d love to hang out, but… it wouldn’t be fun with me around, right? You’d need Bira to tag along.”

“Then it’s all good, Levi can hang out too!”

Seemingly without any hesitation at spending her precious vacation with the likes of me, Levi-tan was truly the life of the party within the organization.

It felt wrong to keep turning her down when she was so eager to invite me. I nodded in agreement and shared the news with Bira.

Bira was more than happy to escape the dreary evil headquarters and soak up some sun with Levi-tan.

“Going with Levi-tan? No problem at all!”

The two headed to the changing room to instantly transform into casual wear, while I remained dressed in my research lab getup, awaiting in the lobby.

A moment later, the two re-emerged in new outfits and shot me dubious looks.

“Eight. Are you really gonna go out like that?”

“Just asking, but don’t you have anything else to wear?”

Nodding at Levi-tan and Bira’s remarks, they exchanged knowing glances and nodded at each other.

“Not the right time to go out like that.”

“First stop, the department store.”

“……What?”

Hearing “department store” sparked a horrifying realization in my mind. True to my fears, they dragged me along to the mall where I’d have to play the part of their dress-up doll.

I was nothing more than a fitting mannequin, enduring endless rounds of outfit changes until they finally reached a level of satisfaction.

“Still not enough!”

“Well… I suppose this is just about passing.”

They scanned my attire from top to bottom, eventually chuckling as if they were content with the result. After the hellish shopping ended, a sense of freedom finally awaited me.

“Now we can finally head home…”

“What’s that supposed to mean? We came out to have fun, so let’s get the party started, right?”

“Ah….”

After hours of trying on clothes, I remembered why I left headquarters in the first place. Today was Levi-tan’s vacation day and I had come out to bond with her…

I nearly forgot my main purpose while enduring this torturous time. Sighing, I asked where we would head next, and Levi-tan insisted on buying clothes for themselves since they were already at the mall.

“Let’s not make it annoying for later! We should shop for our stuff while we’re here!”

“Whoa—right on, Levi-tan! So smart!”

“Ugh….”

Thus began my adventure in observing their shopping spree, as I fumbled to compliment clothes I couldn’t even distinguish from one another, revisiting stores where we tried on items again, and running around until my feet were sore…

Several hours later, I finally slumped down at a café table. I was surrounded by two stunning beauties but was far from enjoying myself. Definitely not!

“Thanks to Levi-tan, I finally got to shop after so long. This one never wants to leave the lab!”

“Really? So are you coming tomorrow too?”

“Maybe?”

“……Tomorrow too?”

“Yep! My vacation is a whole week long!”

The realization that Levi-tan’s time off extended for a week, and that I’d have to face this hellish agenda all over again tomorrow filled me with despair.

If only I could get sick and collapse… but that was out of the question. If I feigned illness, the Boss would call in some gruesome doctor from the underworld, and he would instantly see through my ruse.

“Haah….”

“Nice to meet you.”

Just as I kept sighing, a guy suddenly appeared right in front of me and took a seat as if it were his rightful place, causing Bira and Levi-tan to react a beat slow.

“─Eight!”

“Pihang—!”

Just as Bira hugged me to lift herself up, Levi-tan kicked the guy in front of us. The bespectacled man casually blocked her kick with ease and slid his hand into his pocket.

With the expectation that he might pull out a gun from his suit pocket, I instinctively reached for my wristwatch—only to see him pull out a business card instead.

“I’m this kind of person.”

[Omega Industry]

「Director Myu」

The business card read like that.

“……Omega Industry?”

Levi-tan flinched at the name, while I received the card from Myu and took out the card I used to disguise myself.

[Everything Repair Shop]

Raemon

T.0X-XXXX-XXXX

“I’m this kind of person.”

“I know who you are, Mr. Eight.”

“……Who’s that?”

“No need to hide. I’ve come with knowledge that you’re the legendary musician Raemon and also a scientist at Evil Corporation.”

Myu said, fiddling with his glasses.

The sunlight reflecting off the glasses sparkled, illuminating his face with a sheen. With a sun-like fresh smile, Myu made me an offer.

“─Mr. Eight, would you join Omega Industry?”

“Are you scouting me?”

“Yes, indeed. We offer the best treatment in the industry.”

“Such as?”

“Hey! Eight!”

As I asked, Bira made a face and glared at me, while I shrugged and shot her a look. Wasn’t it okay to understand what they were offering? Getting an evaluation on my own worth is every worker’s fantasy.

And of course, I was a worker too. I wouldn’t vanish to join Omega Industry in a heartbeat, but wouldn’t it be fun to use their offer to brag to the Boss afterwards?

Seeing my positive attitude, Myu grinned and pulled out his smartphone, scribbling down a number before handing it to me.

Checking the amount on the screen, my expression hardened.

Thinking he would take my dumbfounded face as shock, Myu’s grin widened.

“What do you think? It’s considerably—”

“─Insufficient.”

“……Excuse me?”

Incredibly, the number Myu presented as the best treatment in the industry was leagues below what I was currently getting.

Like, several leagues.