Chapter 9: Enforced Devotion【P2】

Kizuki

“That is such a great question. Why are we here?” He gesticulates, talking to the ceiling. “Why… do we simply not exist?”

Mihaku scoffs. “Some departments have actual work to do, especially now. Get it out already!”

Hasumi knocks a knuckle against the desk.

Taking the cue, the group scrambles up and grabs their coats. They skirt along the walls, slipping out of the room without eye contact or a word.

The room’s silence settles, broken only by Mihaku’s long sigh.

He lowers his arms, resting his elbows like a sphinx on the wood. A reading light casts across neatly placed trays of trinkets and illuminates a stack of empty paper sitting next to them.

He pulls a newspaper from the side drawer, shaking the pages open as if settling into a lazy morning routine.

“’For Fox Sake: Triads Escalate.’ Hm.” An envious smirk edges his lips.

“Catchy title,” I chime in.

Mihaku almost breaks her neck when turning back to me. Hasumi freezes, looking up with the dead eyes of a shark.

I just shrug.

She steadies her head forward. “This again? I already told you that I—”

“’—have it under control.” He neatly folds the newspaper, sliding it onto the desk. “Control is when you want to keep something. Extermination is when you want to get rid of the problem.”

He leans forward, resting his chin on interlaced fingers. “We Presidents have a little tradition where we chitchat when we hand over the keys to the next person tasked with this despicable job.”

“Despicable.”

“Of course. You think this title holds anything more than show.”

“It might—”

“Nobody outside this island cares. Just another monkey atop a rock. Only fools think it holds any—”

“If it comforts you, my vote was in good faith to spare you the burden. But it seems the people like to torment their most… beloved.”

“Luckily, the function comes with some perks.”

He nods toward the corner. “What do you think of my new addition?”

My eyes drift, straight into the wooden cow’s funny stare.

Mihaku scoffs, staring only at the window behind him. “That it is time for a new election—”

Hasumi coughs, drowning out her words. “Funny. When I talked with my good friend Nakaba before he left, he assured me that I did not have to replace the current chief. We agreed that is for the best… but—”

“You snake. I fault myself for even being surprised—”

“Oh, I fault you too!” He laughs. “And it’s my job to ensure this is the last time you do.”

Hasumi

Ah, those beautiful eyes…

Deep blue. Like the ocean depths, you know there is a hidden presence staring, even if you cannot see it. A volume of transparency that somehow reveals nothing.

Mihaku

Those unblinking eyes lock onto mine, purple like an overdose of rat poison. Looking away does not shake them off.

In nature, unnatural colors signal danger, warning others to stay away. This creature, however, invites attention.

Devolution.

Kizuki

Why did we skip breakfast for this… I really wanted to check out the new-semester special at that bistro.

Mihaku slowly shakes her head.“He hasn’t even fully unpacked his bags at home yet, and you are already turning your back on him. I’ve been personally—”

“Well!” Hasumi’s eyes widen along with his smile as he glances around the room with exaggerated paranoia. “I do not see Nakaba anywhere! Do you? Where? Where?”

“We don’t need him. We Chiefs tend to outlive the daily tantrums of the president.”

“Yes, yes.” He flaps a hand dismissively. “Something about tradition and unwritten rules.” He mimics a mocking whine. “’Why replace a blade if it is not dull yet?’”

His tone falls flat. “Because it does not cut where I want it to.”

He sinks back against the leather cushion, staring at the ceiling. “So… I just have to... pick a new one.”

“Since you clearly never intended to fulfill your promises, why reveal your hand now? The selection process for a chief takes weeks, if not months.”

A short laugh escapes him. “Months? Hah! I just have to close my eyes!”

He claps a hand over his face, his free palm slapping blindly across the desk in a wild hunt.

“Pick someone.” His eyebrow arches above his fingers as he snags an object. He clutches it firmly. “Hold onto them tight—make them mine.”

He lowers his hand to inspect the prize—and flinches, dropping the object onto the desk with a clatter. His expression freezes before he regains his composure, sliding the silver letter opener aside.

Mihaku turns on her heel, casting a grin my way before tracking the doors. “Is that a challenge? The OPB will always win over an administration on borrowed time. We will have you—”

Hasumi bolts upright, eyes wide and palm slamming against the wood between every word. “I—SHALL—NOT—BE—THREATENED—IN—MY—OWN—OFFICE—YOU—SLIMY—”

His gaze drops to the desk. A fresh smear of red stains the newspaper, right where he struck.

He slowly lowers himself into the chair, casually folding the newspaper over and neatly stacking his hands. “Excuse me. I was… just wondering if you are the right person for the job.”

Mihaku steps toward the door. “Threat? A threat implies intent. Resolve means it is already happening. I will have the Triads handled, mark my words.”

“I will only be marking your letter of resignation—before the end of the week.”

Her coat flares as she continues down the room, leaving his words behind.

“Always a pleasure, Spearfish,” he murmurs, inspecting his bleeding hand. “Try not to strangle yourself in the net.”

I jog to catch up at the threshold, opening the door with a sweeping bow to let her through.

Pausing in the frame, I give Hasumi a quick nod. “Have a wonderful afternoon, Mr. President. And don’t worry—the red really brings out your eyes!”

I flash a quick wink before pulling the door shut, sealing the room before he can even look up.

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Discover what happens next in: Chapter 9: Enforced Devotion【P3】

Written by Limited_Infinity. Extras, official publishing platforms and updates are publicly available only on the Patreon page “_Limited_Infinity_”

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