Tachibana Kirika

Standing behind Luo Shu was a professional-looking woman with her blonde hair pinned up.

She wore sunglasses and was rather short, probably not even 160 centimeters tall, but her legs in black stockings were exceptionally slender and straight. She had beautiful legs. Her upper body had nice curves too, but her legs were definitely her best feature.

"Looking a woman up and down like that when you've only just met her could count as sexual harassment, you know?"

At the woman's warning, Luo Shu looked away, a little embarrassed.

But just then, she added:

"Has anyone ever told you? Your gaze is a little too sharp..."

"Sorry, I've never heard that before." As Luo Shu spoke, he turned sideways, ready to let her pass.

But just then, the woman lowered her sunglasses, studied him for a moment, and said:

"Aren't you going to return my wallet?"

"Uh..." Luo Shu froze awkwardly, the wallet still in his hand.

"There should be two hundred thousand yen in it, along with my driver's license. The name is Tachibana Kirika. Oh, right, there should also be two black bank cards."

At that, Luo Shu pretended he had only just learned this and opened the wallet to check. Sure enough, he found a driver's license, and both the photograph and the name matched her.

Feeling guilty and at a loss for words, he shook his head, then handed the wallet to Tachibana Kirika.

"Sorry, I didn't know this was your wallet..."

Tachibana Kirika took the wallet, casually pulled out all the cash remaining inside, and offered it to Luo Shu.

"Here. Your reward for returning my wallet."

Luo Shu regarded the woman holding out the cash with an odd expression, wondering whether he had somehow ended up in a private room at a host club, playing the host she had selected.

Before he could snap out of that wandering train of thought, Tachibana Kirika smiled again and said:

"Surprised? Government regulations say that anyone who finds lost property receives a reward of ten to twenty percent of its value. But this wallet is so valuable that I don't have enough cash on me. Would you accept just two hundred thousand?"

Hearing Tachibana Kirika put it that way, Luo Shu felt much of his reluctance to accept a handout fade.

"I'm just an ordinary student. I wouldn't dare break the law."

With that, Luo Shu accepted the twenty ten-thousand-yen notes from her hand. After a moment's thought, he stuffed them straight into his pocket.

She'd already given me a way to accept gracefully. Free money-why turn it down?

The blonde beauty kept smiling as she watched him. She looked him over and asked in a suggestive tone:

"It looks like money's been a little tight for you lately, young man?"

"I don't think there's anyone in this country who doesn't like money," Luo Shu said, voicing his honest thoughts as though making a joke.

At that, Tachibana Kirika's lips curved upward, as if she had heard something pleasing.

"In that case, would you mind if I introduced you to a well-paid job?"

"...As a host?" Luo Shu looked her over again, then asked tentatively.

"No, it's a legitimate government job." Tachibana Kirika emphasized, "A civil service position directly under the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the US military stationed in Japan."

Hearing her choice of words when she mentioned the government, Luo Shu wore an odd expression, seemingly unable to conceal his misgivings.

"You're joking. Since when does the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department get mixed up with the US military in Japan?"

Tachibana Kirika took off her sunglasses and planted one hand on her hip.

"Normally, it doesn't. But when it comes to people like you, it does."

"...So, have I done something illegal?"

Now that she had revealed her true intentions, Luo Shu frowned. He had already grown wary when Tachibana Kirika first mentioned a job.

"No, you haven't. Of course, if I didn't see it, I can also pretend it never happened. That only applies to anything before today."

Tachibana Kirika twirled the sunglasses in her hand, then continued lightly:

"And only if you're working under me."

By now, Luo Shu could hardly fail to understand what she meant. He froze for a moment, then said, unsure whether to laugh or cry:

"Wouldn't that count as openly covering for someone?"

Who recruits subordinates like this? Luo Shu badly wanted to criticize Tachibana Kirika's behavior, but considering that she was a government official, he didn't dare resist too openly.

Of course, the system could also spend points to teleport him back to his base instantly. That was what gave him the confidence to probe further here.

"How did you spot me?"

At Luo Shu's question, Tachibana Kirika raised her hand as though to touch his cheek.

He leaned back slightly, signaling his objection.

Tachibana Kirika stopped, then pointed at Luo Shu's eyes.

"Being stared at by you makes a person's skin sting. That's proof your mental power is beyond an ordinary person's, young man."

With that, Tachibana Kirika took a pack of women's cigarettes from her pocket, shook it, and pinched one cigarette between her fingers.

"You must have only just awakened your ability. You've had no training, and you're letting your mental power radiate freely... To practitioners, that stands out far too much. It's a mistake only beginners make..."

"Oh, right. 'Practitioner' is our umbrella term. Those at the Onmyoryo prefer to call themselves onmyoji. In America, they're called psychics, while to the east, they're called Taoist priests and spellcasters."

"Want one?" Tachibana Kirika lit a cigarette, then offered him the pack. "They're made entirely from Chinese medicinal herbs and help stabilize your mind. Of course, you shouldn't smoke too many."

"Sorry, I don't smoke."

Luo Shu raised a hand to block the cigarettes Tachibana Kirika offered him, looking thoroughly helpless as he said:

"So you went out of your way to stop a newly awakened ability user like me just to recruit me?"

"That's right." Tachibana Kirika exhaled a smoke ring and smiled charmingly. "Just as I said, I belong to a special department jointly overseen by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the US military stationed in Japan. We're desperately short on personnel lately, so would you like to try working for us?"

At that, Tachibana Kirika added with a bright smile:

"Five hundred thousand yen a month after tax, two annual bonuses of one and a half million yen each, one day off a week, housing allowances, and special leave. There are even recreational trips with the female members."

As she finished, Tachibana Kirika gave Luo Shu a flirtatious wink, as though hinting at something.

Yet Luo Shu's reaction to her words was decidedly odd.

That very afternoon, he had been using all sorts of perks to coax Eriri into joining him. Now, after school, Tachibana Kirika was recruiting him in much the same way. What was this? The tables turning?

"What happens if I refuse?"

"Nothing much. You'll probably be placed under heightened observation and have to check in with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department twice a week. They might try to recruit you themselves with a high salary, but the workplace culture in Japan... Even a youngster like you should know something about that..."

At that, Tachibana Kirika said half-jokingly:

"Would you rather be exploited by a bunch of old male bosses or a mature older woman like me? I imagine your preference should be pretty obvious, shouldn't it?"

Luo Shu fell silent for a moment, then pointed out, "Are we really going to discuss this right here?"

"Oh?"

Tachibana Kirika gave Luo Shu a mildly surprised look, seemingly not expecting him to be so cooperative.

"Fair point. Come with me."

Tachibana Kirika turned around, angling her body to look back at Luo Shu.

"As it happens, there's a café I often visit nearby."