Chapter 204: Vermouth's Thoughts

The rain that had been falling all day finally came to an end.

The air was clearer now, refreshed and crisp. Before the appointed time, Hayashi Yoshiki pulled up to the entrance of the Beika Hotel.

A tall, bright blonde woman was already waiting there.

As Hayashi parked and rolled down his window, she glanced his way with a composed smile.

She was clearly dressed with care.

Golden waves cascaded down her shoulders. Her peach-shaped and shimmering eyes were playful and sharp. Her lightly tinted lips complemented flawless, pale skin and elegantly delicate features.

She wore a black dress, casual yet alluring. Thin shoulder straps revealed soft skin and a graceful neckline—the elegant curve of her collarbone gleaming under the streetlight. Against her pale skin, the contrast only heightened her beauty.

A woman who looked like she lived in luxury.

That was the most fitting way to describe her.

From figure to face, she was undeniably top-tier.

She looked entirely Western—perhaps slightly mixed-race—with a balanced, poised frame. The sort of woman no average man would ever encounter in daily life.

"I'm glad you're such a punctual man."

She slipped into the passenger seat with the poise of someone used to commanding a room.

"It's only natural. Making a lady wait on a first date deserves punishment—I wouldn't make such a mistake."

"You sound like someone with experience dating women."

"Well, that might be true. But it was you, Miss Vermouth, who arranged this date."

"Hah…"

There was something odd about how he attached a title to her codename.

Cointreau, Vermouth thought. This man seemed surprisingly at ease in the Organization.

Had it been anyone else, she wouldn't have cared.

But Cointreau was different.

After investigating him, Vermouth discovered he had a connection to Mōri Ran—the kind, gentle girl who once stood like an angel in Vermouth's dark, decaying world. That purity had touched something deep within her, made her want to protect it.

And now, that same girl had a dangerous man circling her...

Though her thoughts raced with old memories and warnings, Vermouth smiled sweetly as she studied Hayashi's face.

"Tell me... does Gin know about our date?"

"He does."

"He didn't try to talk you out of it?"

"He did. But unfortunately, I'm terrible at lying to women."

Hayashi offered a soft, disarming smile.

"...What a gentleman."

Despite her compliment, Vermouth's unease deepened.

She had met countless people in her career of deception. But this man was different—his outward charm was laced with something far more dangerous.

He was too good at disguises.

His words, so fragrant and smooth, were a kind of slow-acting poison—beautiful and lethal.

Does he need to be eliminated? she wondered.

"Where are we headed?"

"A date at this hour calls for food, of course."He glanced at her briefly. "Any cravings?"

"It's rare I'm back in Japan. I want something local."

"Then... how about fugu hot pot?"

"Pufferfish? Sounds... ominous."

"Exactly. That's why we're not actually going there."He smirked. "I've got another restaurant in mind."

If only Rum was already working at Iroha Sushi—Hayashi mused—it would've been poetic to drop in and have sushi made by the Organization's second-in-command.

Eventually, they settled in a traditional Japanese restaurant, seated in a private room rather than at the bar—ideal for their quiet conversation.

"Let me get to the point."

As the waiter left and the food was served, Vermouth faced Hayashi with a sweet but calculated smile.

"Rum—the Organization's second-in-command—is very interested in you. He wants you in the Intelligence Division."

"He's the second-in-command?"

Hayashi raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"Didn't Gin tell you?"

"He said Rum was the intel team leader. Didn't mention the rest."

"Seems Gin holds you in high regard."

Her painted fingers gently swirled the sake in her glass.

"So? What do you say? This is a personal invitation from someone at the top. Compared to working under Gin, this might even be considered... a promotion."

"But there's a problem..."Hayashi leaned back slightly. "That kind of gentle approach doesn't quite match the Organization's usual methods. Isn't it more likely I'd be ordered, not invited?"

"…"

"Or is there some sort of conflict between Mr. Rum and Gin?"

"...That's not something I know about."

Sharp. Very sharp.Vermouth's silence was its own kind of answer.

"So? Will you be turning down the invitation?"

"I'm quite satisfied with my current role."

"That's unfortunate."

Though her voice remained light, Vermouth's thoughts were elsewhere.

This man was getting too close to Mōri Ran. It was dangerous—and Vermouth needed to decide whether his presence would endanger or protect that girl.

If it was the former...

"In some ways, you and I are alike."

"You mean our dual identities?"

"Exactly. So, as your senior, allow me to offer a word of advice: hide your tail well. If you're exposed, it won't just be you who suffers. The people around you will, too."

Her tone was casual, teasing—but her gaze was cold.

"Your dear aunt, Kisaki Eri, the queen of the courtroom... and her family. Or perhaps... you don't care about their lives at all?"

Hayashi's eyes widened slightly.

He stared at Vermouth.

Her smile hadn't changed.

But the atmosphere had.

In her delicate, angelic face, Hayashi Yoshiki could now see the hidden predator—unfeeling, calculating.

"...What a headache."

He sighed quietly, gaze locked on hers.

"Can I interpret this as a threat... for turning down your offer?"