Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

And from the looks of it, Miyagi-san couldn’t know about this… I see.

In response to the Novelist’s question, Yayoi shook her head regretfully.

“No, we haven’t found him. Or the modified car either. Theoretically, we should have been able to find traces from the parts manufacturing, but that guy was extremely cautious.”

As expected of a professional killer. The madness he had shown while hunting them was terrifying, but once things looked bad, he’d scurry away like a rat, making him difficult to catch.

“…I see. Then…”

“However, I’ve thought of a new solution.”

Facing the Novelist’s confused look, Yayoi spoke softly.

“Do you remember the VMO organization?”

The practice of establishing guard units like the Niwa family’s wasn’t unusual in high society. In a broader sense, special security professionals who outperformed ordinary bodyguards were known as VPO—Very Important People Protection Operative. These combat specialists typically protected wealthy individuals, politicians, and religious leaders, standing as barriers against potential attackers.

Miyagi-san had told them that ten years ago, a private organization formed by retired personnel from the Public Security Intelligence Agency and Metropolitan Police had created a counterpart called VMO—Very Important People Murder Operative. Simply put: VIP assassination.

“…While the law is meant to uphold justice, in reality, it also serves to punish wrongdoers and set examples. Ordinary citizens often place high expectations on this aspect,” Miyagi-san had explained. “But what about those skilled at evading legal consequences? Those with connections in high-ranking police positions, those who can influence court decisions, or those who exploit legal loopholes—how should such people be dealt with? For some, the answer is simple: if legal means fail, abandon them. Employ ‘desperados’ for illegal handling. Convenient and clean, requiring only money.”

This was why VMO had been established—a civilian organization targeting those who used power and wealth to escape legal sanctions.

Over time, VMO had gained support from certain politicians and financial groups. Combined with their members’ networks, they had accomplished remarkable things.

But Japan’s government could never publicly acknowledge an organization dedicated to “murder.” In recent years, VMO had evolved into a neutral entity responsible for coordinating the underground world, losing its “personal justice” aspect. In this sense, perhaps it had saved more lives.

In short, VMO was currently Japan’s largest underground personnel dispatch company—like an “Adventurer’s Guild” in RPG terms. Though such a comparison might seem to make light of human life, so let’s set that aside.

Among the seven assassins who had hunted him and Yayoi, five had been contracted through VMO, with only two trained directly by the Niwa family.

…

“I want to take control of the VMO organization… at least part of the Kanto region. At minimum, having someone trustworthy in charge would be fine.”

In describing such scenes, authors typically write about “eyes burning with ambitious flames” or something similar.

But Yayoi’s pupils held none of that—just a calm demeanor stating facts.

If they could gain control of this channel, they might catch that last assassin. However…

“The Niwa family and VMO basically maintain a relationship of mutual non-interference, right?”

Even without knowledge of this field, common sense suggested that a financial group shouldn’t be able to manipulate such an organization—they should only have an employer-employee relationship.

“Besides, this has nothing to do with me…”

The Novelist yawned, preparing to lie back down in his blanket to continue sleeping.

“I’m just an ordinary high school boy, I won’t get involved in any weird incidents… Waaah! Cold!”

The blanket was mercilessly snatched away.

“W-wait! Hey! Hey—”

He quickly hugged his arms, shivering as he curled up on the bedsheet, like a helpless maiden being… Fortunately, he didn’t have the habit of sleeping naked. Though even if everything was exposed, Yayoi probably wouldn’t care… probably.

With the blanket’s barrier gone, the heat of the girl’s body pressing on his abdomen, the softness of her skin, and the texture of her knee-high socks all transmitted clearly to his brain.

As his mind began to grow confused, the Novelist suddenly remembered something.

“…Though it’s not a big deal, why are you wearing a school uniform now?”

After becoming the family head, Yayoi had continued Niwa Daizō’s clothing habits, usually wearing kimono—traditional Japanese robes.

“Because I’m going to school today.”

She answered matter-of-factly.

“The reason I came to find you at this time is the same. Once school starts, I won’t have this free time.”

He looked toward the thick curtains drawn closed, with just a gap where faint dawn light flowed into the room. It looked a bit like mayonnaise spread on a dinner roll… so it was already that time.

“Let me say this first—I don’t think I can help with this kind of thing.”

“You just need to nod and agree.”

Yayoi’s lips curved slightly upward. That was undoubtedly the expression of someone plotting something.

It seemed there was still some time until daybreak.

“Ah… you fell asleep during class again.”

A somewhat displeased voice came from above.

The Novelist rubbed his brow and wearily raised his head from between his arms.

The familiar noisy classroom. As class neared its end, students were happily chatting, preparing to leave. It seemed that even with one person missing, everyone’s daily routine wouldn’t change much.

“…Do you need something?”

“The forms need to be turned in. You didn’t forget, did you?”

The Class Rep took a stance as if ready to hit his head with the stack of documents in her hand.

“No problem! I’ve already filled it out!”

He respectfully handed over the completed form—a routine document about family information required each semester.

“…Hmm.”

The Class Rep’s face showed a look of disgust, as if noticing something.

That’s when he spotted the glistening spots on the form… probably drool from when he was sleeping.

“I’m so sorry!”

“I’ll forgive you. But as compensation, Liang-kun, help me carry some things?”

The girl pointed at the mountain of documents piled on the desk, showing a friendly smile.

…It seemed the Class Rep had something to say to him.