nhp | (Sutamai) 'Wanted: Him! Dangerous Night and Sweet Seduction', Part 2

12.

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Rei: …… T-They’re gone with the wind, huh.

Natsume: They say all they need to and then leave immediately right after.

They’re like jack-in-the-boxes~

Aoyama: What should we do, Seki-san?

Seki: …… The truth of the matter is that we’re currently waiting on the higher-ups’ decision to commence investigation on Sasaki Marie.

Yui: The information on file that Kujo Soma left for us is recorded down in considerable detail.

Imaoji: Everything from about the organized gang of hoodlums to the truth behind the possession of the drugs is included.

There are even real-time photos of the crime scene……

Aoyama: With this much evidence on hand, surely we’ll get the go-ahead.

Seki: Yes, but the issue is how we’re going to go about it.

Natsume: Don’t you think that the easy approach here is to just become hosts?

Imaoji: Well yes, that does appear so.

Rei: The file also mentions Sasaki Marie’s bias when it comes to her favorite type of host.

Natsume: Say what—let me see…… “Educated and highly inquisitive or has an unconventional hair colour”.

Rei: Isn’t this……

Seki & Aoyama: …………

Natsume & Imaoji: …………

Yui: …… Hey, why is everyone teaming up and looking at me?

Aoyama: So it’s agreed then that Kotaro will be one of the hosts.

Natsume: Oh, please do allow me to take a photo of you in your host get-up, Kotaro-san.

Yui: Are you seriously telling me to be a host? For me to shower flattery upon women who will play no part in my research?

Seki: I know you can do it, Yui.

Yui: …………

Natsume: I’m just asking for the sake of it, but on what basis are you saying that?

Seki: I trust that Yui will faithfully pull through no matter what job he takes on.

Yui: ………… I understand. I will become a host.

Aoyama: Well sure, if you’re told something as far as that, then of course.

Natsume: Ahaha. You seem suited to be a host yourself, Seki-san.

Rei: (No kidding……)

14.

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Aoyama: There’s one more archetype written down here in this file under Sasaki’s bias.

Rei: Ummm, “dainty-like features, has a pompous and assertive attitude, and is the high-and-mighty type”.

It’s quite different to the one before.

Seki: …… What… is the “high-and-mighty” type?

Natsume: Wouldn’t that be someone like Itsuki-san?

Aoyama: Come again? Since when do I act like a hotshot?

Rei: You sure know well on what it means to be one.

Aoyama: I had a lot of opportunities to talk to the youngsters when I was out gathering information for that previous case in Ikebukuro.

I’m used to hearing words that I’m unfamiliar with.

It’s difficult to say if language is evolving or regressing, but it’s almost impressive how they tear it apart and then speak like that.

Natsume: Oh, yeah, say—weren’t the gangsters taken in by you, Itsuki-san?

I’m telling you, you’re definitely cut out to be the high-and-mighty type.

Aoyama: Enough of that.

Rei: If it’s the “dainty features” bit, then isn’t Imaoji-san also on par with Aoyama-san for that?

Seki: Yes, I agree. They both indeed have pretty faces. They’re a handsome pair.

Aoyama: Is that something for you to be saying, Seki-san……

Seki: Huh?

Rei: Ahaha. Though Imaoji-san is the farthest person away from being the high-and-mighty type.

Imaoji: The high-and-mighty type…… I certainly can’t picture myself behaving in such a manner.

But seeing as this is my job, I will of course completely act out the part.

Aoyama: Then we’ll send in Imaoji this time. I’ll work from behind-the-scenes to back up Kotaro.

Yui: I don’t require any special back-up. Or are you implying that I’m unfit to be a host?

Natsume: Weren’t you just against the idea not too long ago?

Yui: It’s my job so I’m going to carry it out to perfection. Furthermore, if the undercover investigation is a success, then……

Izumi has promised to offer up her oral mucous cells to me.

Rei: Excuse me!? I’ve done no such thing!!???

Yui: Are you sure?

Natsume: He lied as if it were as easy as breathing……

Aoyama: Kotaro……

Imaoji: Haha. It might be a necessary skill for a host to have.

Seki: Well then, we’ll leave it up to Yui and Imaoji to play the role of the hosts.

We’ll decide on everyone’s posting at the club after obtaining formal permission.

And so, the undercover investigation into the host club “Swallow” was approved of the following day.

16.

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Yui: Well, Izumi? Don’t I look good in it?

Rei: Yeah, you do! Almost shockingly so!

Kagura: Excuse me, but I am the stylist here.

No need to state the obvious.

Imaoji: Haha. I’m not accustomed to wearing this type of outfit so I’m feeling a little embarrassed.

I hope it doesn’t look strange on me……

Kagura: It compliments you plenty so I think you can drop that so-called modesty of yours.

Imaoji: What…… do you mean by that?

Kagura: Clothes are worn with the heart, and you’re confidently wearing the first-class suit that I prepared for you.

In other words, it’s plainly clear to see that you hold not an ounce of humility nor hesitation inside your head.

You know for yourself that it suits you. Isn’t that right?

Imaoji: ……

Yui: You’re someone who also has a habit of retorting back quite the comment, I see.

Kagura: And you, Yui-san. Please do at least brush that pink hair of yours on the day.

Yui: …… What if I refuse to?

Kagura: …………

Yui: …………

Rei: (I-It’s getting tense in here!?)

18.

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Kagura: …… Sigh. Let me leave you with a piece of advice.

Keep in mind that the flaws of your personalities will stand out the more luxurious the outfit you’re wearing.

Having been driven to his patience, Kagura-san snuck a glance at me before he turned away and walked out.

Rei: H-Hold on! Please wait—

He left.

Rei: (I definitely have to give him a call later to properly say my thanks……)

Natsume: I’m back~ So I just ran into Kagura-san before, and—

Woah, what in the world!? You’re looking fine there, Kotaro-san! Shun-san!

Aoyama: It suits them a hell of a lot more than expected.

Yui: Hmph. This is nothing.

Natsume: That magnificently smug face is one for the camera!!!

[SNAP!]

Imaoji: Now all that’s left is to smoothly attract the attention of the queen on the day. It’d be nice if we could pull it off.

Rei: It’s going to be absolutely fine! You both look like a pair of handsome hosts!!

Thus, on the day of the undercover investigation…...

-Host Club-

Miyase: Oh my, the both of you look very becoming. How wonderful.

Makoto: So there are situations where the NCD’s job is to go as far as disguising themselves as hosts. This sounds like it’ll be useful information to have.

Rei: Makoto-san!? Why are you here??

Makoto: I’ve been doing work experience at this place since yesterday for the purpose of gathering research material.

Rei: Oh, work experience…… Wait, what!? As in working as a host???

20.

-Host Club-

Makoto: If you heard another meaning to what I had said just now then please, I’d love for you to explain it to me.

I’ve been advised by the owner regarding the matter of today’s undercover investigation.

Aoyama: What do you mean by “advised”......

If you’re here for work experience then that must also mean that you’re a newbie host.

If possible, I’d like to ask for you to take the day off today.

Makoto: No, I too can only be here up until today due to time constraints with my writing.

As a bystander, I anticipate on being witness to the investigation so you don’t need to pay me any attention.

Miyase: The queen will be pleased as well if there are many different types of hosts present.

Yui: Though I think if there are this many amateurs mixed in then it’s not unlikely that trouble will occur. That goes for both being a host and the investigation.

Kujo: I have put measures in place so as to be able to counter every possible situation.

Kirishima: Yeah!!! Thanks for always coming by!!

Rei: K-Kirishima-san??

Kirishima: Yo, Rei! If something happens, shout out to the Kiri-chan of this liquor store, yeah?

Rei: “Kiri-chan”???

Miyase: Kirishima-san is going undercover as the club’s liquor supplier.

Kirishima: I’ll be on standby at the back so if anything happens, call on me right away.

I’ll save you in a dashing way! It’s gotta be a brawny hero over a soft host for that, right?

Kaname: Hey, Koya-kun, aren’t you done yet with the electrical wiring that I asked of you?

Rei: Even Kaname-kun is here!??

Seki: …… I can’t overlook a minor being employed.

Kujo: I’ve asked Kaname to monitor the surveillance cameras from within the storage room.

And to supervise over any inconsequential passing of information.

Kaname: Seeing as I’m technically not working on record, I should be in the clear.

Seki: Aoyama and Natsume will hold post in the storage room. I’ll take you home so let’s go.

I have no intention of discriminating against other people’s jobs, but I cannot allow for you to be involved in the investigation nor with Kabukicho at night.

Kaname: …… I’ve received consent though.

Kujo: To be accurate, it’s a request from the establishment.

Including the surveillance cameras and the club’s inside information……

They would rather the NCD not lay their hands on that as much as possible.

Seki: …………

Kaname: Relax. I won’t do anything dangerous.

Besides, aren’t you guys pros at this? You’ll be able to settle things without worry, right?

Seki: ………… There’s nothing to be done for it then.

(This host club gives off a slightly questionable feeling itself.)

(It would certainly be nice if we could finish this investigation without trouble……)

22.

-Host Club-

Shindo: Oi.

Rei: Wha—Shindo-san, that outfit…… Are you a staff attendant?

Shindo: Personally, that woman owes me one in terms of money for this.

But more importantly, it sounds like the owner got a call from the queen.

Imaoji: Is today not the day when she plans on being in the company of her favorite hosts?

Shindo: There’s no change to that. However, there’s apparently word of her saying not to let any female customers into the club today.

Yui: Not let any female customers in……?

Rei: Isn’t that command practically like she’s trying to overthrow the principle of what it means to operate as a host club……?

Shindo: She’s saying that because today’s the White Day event, she’ll cover the tab for all the hosts.

Since those are her words, it doesn’t sound like she’ll give way on this.

Although it appears as if male customers alone have her permission to enter.

Makoto: I see. It’s a tactic to have all the hosts place her on a pedestal by personally becoming the only female in company.

Kaname: Is that even allowed?

Yui: I’m sure that coming from the establishment, they would want to refuse such a thing in front of other customers, but……

Imaoji: In the end, so long as she’s the ace customer, they can’t afford to turn her away.

Kujo: All other customers besides her distance themselves from “Swallow” as she renders the goods disposable.

Rei: That’s quite the vicious cycle, especially for the club……

Miyase: Her title as “Queen” precedes her.

Aoyama: Well, for us in particular, it’s fortunate that the only customer will be her.

Seki: That’s right. It’s about time to open up the club. Everyone, be on standby.

Rei: Um, is it okay if I relocate to the back?

The plan had been for me to go undercover as a female customer.

Seki: Of course. Izumi, you’ll go behind-the-scenes together with Kaname-kun and—

Makoto: No. It might be a good idea for her to go undercover as a male customer.

Rei: Huh……?