Chapter 42: Can’t Spit It Out—Truly an Unpatriotic Outcast

Jiang Jian Yue admitted she panicked and let out a rather pathetic sound.

But! But!

A real adult is someone who can face their shortcomings and overcome them!

Though she said that, her brain still froze for a few seconds.

3……2……1……0

BIOS entered self-test.

Hmm…

At least she didn’t lose her composure too much.

Whether this part was recorded for the anime or not, she had to maintain adult dignity and elegance no matter what.

Yuki Asahi didn’t make any further moves either. Everything was normal. It was safe to boot up.

Her cheek brushed against the softness of the blanket, the resonance of Yuki Asahi’s heartbeat faded as he moved away.

The girl stole a glance at him.

Their gazes collided in the air.

Jiang Jian Yue stared into those golden eyes, feeling only a strange sadness…

What’s going on?

Her freshly rebooted brain quickly analyzed, factoring in Yuki Asahi’s personality, and came up with an answer instantly.

He chickened out.

And probably sank into self-loathing again.

Jiang Jian Yue immediately felt annoyed. What a fussy kid!

She wanted to slap some sense into him, then say something she didn’t even believe herself to cheer him up—

This is a common trope in literary works; in reality, slapping someone only leads to a brawl.

Kids, don’t imitate this.

She rolled off the sofa, Yuki Asahi’s tightly pressed arm collapsing at a touch, and Jiang Jian Yue bent down to put on her shoes.

“Sorry…”

A belated apology came weakly from behind, like those useless husbands in some stories, always apologizing, never changing.

“Get some rest.”

Jiang Jian Yue came to her senses.

She wasn’t anyone to Yuki Asahi.

No need to get angry for his lack of backbone.

Besides, Yuki Asahi was already exhausted.

Let the kid sleep a bit longer.

She opened the door, and Akimoto Miki, who had been eavesdropping with her ear against it, tumbled in, only to be caught around the waist by Jiang Jian Yue.

Closing the door, Jiang Jian Yue crossed her arms and glared coldly at Akimoto Miki from bottom to top.

Akimoto Miki’s cheeks were bright red. She poked her fingers together awkwardly.

“That… I was a little curious. Just pure curiosity.”

Jiang Jian Yue quickly typed on her phone’s memo and pressed it to Akimoto Miki’s face:

“You’re not that young anymore. Shouldn’t you be settling down? Instead of worrying about others, worry about yourself.”

“Eh?”

Akimoto Miki made a miserable face.

“Miss, don’t abandon me! I want to serve you for life!”

Why do all the Jiang Jian family’s workers like to talk about serving for life?

Did they catch some kind of penguin virus?

***

Jiang Jian Yue stayed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department until noon, negotiating with them… or rather, with the higher-ups, until the talks finally ended.

She arranged for someone to buy a new phone and reissue a SIM Card for Yuki Asahi—of course, the purchase was charged to the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu’s account.

Jiang Jian Yue took one last look at Yuki Asahi, who seemed peaceful in sleep, then turned and left.

The Self-Defense Force was still on alert, but the level wasn’t high.

The streets of Tokyo Metropolis operated as usual on a weekday, though armed personnel and vehicles could occasionally be seen.

“Everything is arranged. There should be news about a special security cooperation by tomorrow.”

From the front seat, Morita Aoya reported to the lady.

“The price?”

“Shares in Central African cobalt mine extraction rights, plus part of the exclusive construction contract.”

“And…”

Morita Aoya hesitated slightly.

“All records of the lady’s identity have been deleted from government archives.”

“Later, you will receive a Diplomatic Passport from the Central African Republic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will appoint you as the ‘Special Envoy for Japan-Africa Friendship’.”

He hesitated, worried the lady would find it hard to accept suddenly becoming a foreign national.

However, Jiang Jian Yue was completely stunned by DRG’s heavy hand.

Me? Diplomatic envoy?

Seriously?

She wasn’t totally ignorant of politics—holding a Diplomatic Passport meant judicial immunity.

As long as she didn’t engage in commercial activities that led to lawsuits, or in espionage, basically no one could arrest her.

Now she really was stripped of nationality and became a “stateless person”!

“There will be no effect on your daily life, so please don’t worry, Lady.”

Morita Aoya reassured her.

Jiang Jian Yue, though, was rather open-minded, not mourning the loss of nationality—after all, didn’t she lose her ID too?

The Central African Republic is also “Old China,” so now she’s an Old China person again.

“Also, the master wants you to call him back. Now.”

“…Understood.”

Again?

This time, it really was necessary to make contact.

After all, such a huge incident happened in Japan.

Jiang Jian Yue took a deep breath and dialed the number—the front seat driver sensibly turned the music in his noise-canceling headphones to maximum.

The moment the call connected, a deafening explosion through the receiver choked off her attempt to feign weakness with an “Otoosan~”.

“Wait, let me find a quieter place!”

On the other end, a man panted as if running.

About two minutes later, the persistent roar of gunfire and angry shouts in an unknown language were clearly blocked by some kind of barrier.

Though there was still faint noise, it was much quieter.

“Father, what… happened?”

Jiang Jian Yue’s voice held a hint of worry.

“The news will tell you. Watch more international news to understand big events. When I die, DRG is yours.”

The man’s voice was rather relaxed, not like someone who’d just come out of danger.

“Don’t… say things like ‘die’!”

“Just joking. Yue, you’re too serious. It’s scary.”

Otoosan’s sense of humor was frightening too.

“I saw that live stream. As expected of someone my daughter cares for.”

Who the heck is spreading these rumors about us girls!

Jiang Jian Yue shot a slightly annoyed glance at Morita Aoya in the front seat.

This guy must be the source of the rumors.

She wanted to clear it up, but the man’s voice continued:

“But, putting yourself in danger, I can’t really appreciate that.”

There was an explosion next to you, and you’re not exactly in a safe place either, are you?!

“Yue, don’t learn from your little boyfriend…”

The man sighed and continued:

“The world is getting more chaotic lately. This is no longer an era of peace.”

Such a heavy topic left Jiang Jian Yue, who was usually good at reading the mood, with no chance to clarify.

“Although the incident in Japan was big this time, globally, Japan is still a relatively peaceful and safe place.”

The Self-Defense Force has already mobilized, and it’s still peaceful?

Then how bad is it elsewhere?

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t dare imagine.

True, the Devourer G alone caused significant damage, not to mention the current GPRI Hunter Assassination Incident—just two bases in Japan stirred up so much trouble.

How many GPRI Bases are there worldwide?

If every base caused incidents, some poorer countries might even collapse, right?

She really should pay more attention to international news.

After that, more warnings about safety and eating well followed, leaving Jiang Jian Yue no chance to speak.

Every time she found an opening to clear up the rumors, her clumsy tongue lagged a beat—

Then the man’s next sentence would squeeze her out again.

Otoosan sure could talk.

I definitely didn’t inherit your language skills. Sorry.