Spy THE Mission - Chapter 1

[haranami]

Location: Dormitory Library

<September, late at night in the Starmony Dorm.>

Eichi: ♪ ~ ♪ ~

Ahh, I can’t stop my heart from racing. Why is it that, contrary to what one would expect, humans long to do something the more they’re told not to?

The more you tell us we mustn’t, the more we long to play such exciting games.

That’s why I’m going to read Keito’s doujinshi as a bedtime story again tonight… ☆

Fufu, it’s the absolute best way to relieve stress. His stories dispel all the tiredness I’ve accumulated, allowing me to have a most pleasant sleep.

Keito— no, Mizuhanome-sensei’s works bestow courage and hope upon me. They truly do save me ♪

(...Hm, what was that noise?)

(I need to hide the doujinshi on this bookshelf. If Keito saw me with it, I wouldn’t put it past him to instantly murder me in cold blood.)

(I went through all the trouble of borrowing it from his room, so it’s a shame… But I suppose there’s no need for me to worry if I hide them within the ranks of such a voluminous mass of books. Now, then, I should be alright regardless of who’s approaching.)

Madara: …Oyaaa? If it ain’t Eichi-san. What’re you doing in a place like this?

Eichi: Mikejima-kun. I believe that’s my line.

I’m quite surprised. The noise I heard was so unusually loud, I assumed it was anyone other than you…

What brings you to the book room in the middle of the night? I doubt you’re having trouble falling asleep like I am.

Madara: You’re a barrel of laughs, Eichi-san! Do you really think I’m constantly a bundle of energy?

There are nights when I can’t fall asleep either, and times when I’m too tired to conceal my presence.

Plus, I’ve been pushing myself a little too much lately ‘cause of the special job I got.

My body’s real tuckered out, but my head’s still wide awake; I figured I’d try to read a book or something before bed so I could stabilize the balance between my mind and body a lil’ more.

Eichi: I see, there are times when you feel tired as well.

Both physical and mental strength is necessary for sleeping soundly. That may be why your overly dramatic way of speaking could be considered to be a unity of mind and body.

One needs to be healthy in order to recover their physical energy… Good grief, these things called human bodies have far too many limitations.

I’ve come to understand how the first Emperor of Qin, who sought immortality, must have felt. [1]

Madara: Hoho. Then do I have the perfect cure for you ♪ It’s called cinnabar; it’s made outta mercury, and it’s known as a miraculous medicine that’ll make you immortal—

Eichi: That’s the poison that caused the Emperor’s death, isn’t it. Do you intend to kill me?

Madara: Hahaha. Well, ain’t it common for evil leaders to die of poison?

You’re real smart! That’s right, you’re an eintellectual, so I was just making a joke catered to your taste ♪ [2]

Eichi: Fufufu, what an interesting joke ♪

You don’t appear to be laughing in the slightest, though.

Madara: Actually, I wanna know why you’re laughing. Considering our location and proximity, you’re well within my range, yanno?

I don’t really like being violent, but ever since the ES plan was put into effect, you’ve been regaining power...

So I just wanted to give you a lil’ warning, Eichi-san.

Eichi: I appreciate your concern. However, I’m not so wet behind the ears as to be shocked by your words.

In the first place, Mikejima-kun, you’d surely gain nothing from harming me here.

Madara: Oh, yeah?

Eichi: The reason why is simple. To begin with, I’ve been been in very poor health; I was hospitalized due to overwork until just recently—

If you did something to me, you’d cause trouble for Double Face, which has only just been established.

Mikejima-kun. It’s certainly true that your existence is a threat to me.

I can only arm myself with social power and status, so extraordinary individuals such as yourself are my natural enemy. You’re more than capable of calculating when I’ll be alone and offing me right then and there.

Isn’t that why Saegusa-kun supports Double Face so fervently, he’d even lend Oukawa-kun to you?

He may posture as a strategist leading a battalion, but ultimately, he’s only in control of a ragtag gang of mercenaries.

If we had a war of attrition, I — with my superior monetary assets — would surely emerge the victor. Saegusa-kun is aware of that, which is why he won't challenge me to a battle.

Madara: If you’re right, that makes me something like a secret weapon to Ibara-san, huh?

It’s just like rock paper scissors. Eichi-san, you win against Ibara-san, and I win against you. That’s why Ibara-san wanted me to join him so desperately… I guess.

Eichi: Yes, that’s the current situation. However, the reason why you’re so terrifying is because you’re an individual hoarding such a vast amount of power.

You’re threatening when alone, but your prowess is halved when you gain a partner. Humans become weaker when they’re given things to be responsible for—

If you caused some type of harm upon me, you would surely embroil Oukawa-kun in trouble as well.

Madara: Hahaha! Yeah, I’m sure you’re right, Eichi-san.

Go ahead and keep on letting your guard down, juuust like that. Kohaku-san…  he’s real sneaky in his own way, so there’s no need for me to hold back on his account. If you don’t watch out, we might catch you in our trap.

We could punish you: a villain who’s hiding something he doesn’t want other people to see.

Eichi: …So you noticed.

Madara: Your gaze told me everything I needed to know.

Eichi: Fufu. How very troublesome. At this rate, I truly might fall into your trap.

…Thanks to you, it seems I’ll be having another restless night ♪

Keito has surely returned to his room by now, so I’ll return it by tomorrow morning. Is that alright with you?

Madara: Yep. You’ve gotta reflect on this, Eichi-san.

News travels fast. If I hear that you’re going around hurting people again, I’m not gonna sit by idly and twiddle my thumbs.

Eichi: Fufu. You really are quite frightening. Are you being serious or merely joking, I wonder…?

On that note, Mikejima-kun, I give you my regards for the next time we meet.

Madara: Yup. Well, then. I hope that when we meet next, it’s as idols.

Next Chapter

Translation notes:

1. Qin Shi Huang, who founded the Qin dynasty, was the first emperor of a unified China. He is believed to have died from ingesting mercury pills made by his alchemists and physicians who believed they would grant him immortality. Interestingly, he created the title of emperor.

2. Madara uses a word for “smart” that’s read as “eichi.”