nhp | (Sutamai) Character Main Story - Hattori You, Vol 0 Ch 5

CHAPTER INDEX

5.1.

-CIU First Division-

Hattori: Seeing as you’re now a part of STAND, you’ll be training under us ASAP.

So how about we go for some coffee?

Rei: For some… coffee?

Hattori-san didn’t bother to answer my question as he swiftly made his way out of the room.

When I turned towards Aoyama-san for instructions, he nodded with a sour expression.

Aoyama: Go.

Rei: Are you sure?

Aoyama: Not like there’s much of a choice if that’s what Hattori-san is saying.

Asagiri: Our organisations are different, but when it comes to STAND, You-san is the higher official there.

Rei: Does that mean you’re also a part of this so-called “STAND”, Aoyama-san?

Sugano: I think you can get You-san to explain all about that bit too.

Aoyama: Go. I’ll see you later.

Rei: Got it! See you afterwards!

If I didn’t hurry and catch up to Hattori-san, then I was going to completely lose sight of him.

I bolted out of the office with the four of them seeing me off.

-Cafe-

Hattori: Two each of the usual.

Staff: Sure, no worries.

Rei: …

Hattori-san had dragged me to a nearby cafe.

There were few signs of people inside the place, and we sat down in the seats at the far back.

Perhaps this was his regular go-to cafe, because he had ordered without even glancing at the menu.

Rei: (He even went ahead and ordered on my behalf too…)

Hattori: So?

Rei: Huh?

Hattori: Where was I up to?

Rei: The bit where starting from today, I’m now a part of STAND…

To begin with, what even is “STAND”?

Hattori: *Sigh* So from there.

I should’ve made Natsuki give you the overview.

Rei: Would it be better… to head back to the First Division?

Hattori: Fine, I guess I can explain it. Our order still hasn’t come anyway.

Looking as if he couldn’t be more fed up with everything in the world, Hattori-san took out his cigarettes from his shirt pocket.

Hattori: Mind if I smoke?

Rei: Go right ahead.

No sooner was I done responding that he casually lit one up.

It caught me by surprise when he blew out the smoke to the side so that it wouldn’t hit me.

Rei: (It’s the same scent from half a year ago…)

(Back then, I wouldn’t have thought that things would turn out like this.)

Hattori: “Stand Alone National Department”.

Rei: … Huh?

As though crushing my feelings of wonderment, out of his mouth came a string of foreign words.

Hattori: An independent investigation department—AKA “STAND”.

A third party organisation dealing in cold cases.

Understand now?

Rei: Cold cases… As in the ones that have a statute of limitations on them and are lost in a maze?

So what you’re saying is that this organisation handles those investigations. Is that right?

Hattori: Sure, something like that. But that’s just a front.

Reality is that it was set up for the purpose of solving the “No-Name Case”.

Rei: The… “No-Name Case”?

Hattori: You don’t know?

Rei: I apologise for not being well-informed.

Hattori: Well, I suppose that’s because the information made available is faked enough so that it doesn’t become gossip.

You’ll probably learn more about it in time.

Hattori-san then mumbled in a low voice that was hard to tell if he was wanting to be heard or not.

Hattori: Never again…

Rei: …

It was only a couple of words, but that tone felt as heavy as lead. There was something unsettling coming from it.

Was this “STAND” also an organisation that dealt with those sorts of considerably heinous crimes?

Hattori: STAND’s accomplishments remain thereabouts as well. So even after the “No-Name Case” was wrapped up, it still exists.

The situation also has its reasons, and that’s why it hasn’t been made known to the public…

Rei: Aoyama-san is also one of its members, right? Does that go for everyone else in the Investigation and Planning Division too?

Hattori: Others among the general populace also include specialists here and there in their field.

Speaking of, the one coordinating STAND’s onsite operations is Hiyama Takaomi of Hiyama Real Estates.

His support is Tsukasa.

Rei: And you, Hattori-san…?

Hattori: A ghost member, I’d say.

The type to glare at you from behind.

Rei: …

I couldn’t judge how much of it was the truth or a joke in the way he spoke as if clouding me in smoke.

But even then, that sharp look in his eyes appeared to be vigilantly observing the surroundings.

Hattori: To sum up, I guess it’s an elite group of civilians and government officials.

Rei: I wonder if it’s really okay for me to be part of a group that incredible…

Hattori: You find it strange?

Rei: I’ve only just joined the NCD. I’m a novice to the core.

To be honest, I have my doubts as to why me, someone who’s inexperienced.

Hattori: You’re a guinea pig.

Rei: A guinea pig?

Hattori: It’s a test case. Basically, you’re Guinea Pig No.1.

The fate of STAND will be affected from here on out. Depending on your efforts, that is.

Rei: !

5.2.

-Cafe-

Rei: (“A third party organisation dealing in cold cases”.)

(“An elite group of civilians and government officials”.)

(“Guinea Pig No.1”.)

(Is this a novel? A movie? A drama series? Is that what we’re talking about here?)

When I was left at a loss for words at the stream of jargon that I was unaccustomed to hearing…

Staff: Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are your fluffy red bean and matcha chiffon cakes, and your matcha lattes.

Hattori: Thaaanks.

Rei: !?

(That’s what he ordered!?)

They were sweet foods and sugary drinks that didn’t suit the current atmosphere.

But Hattori-san dug into them with a familiar ease.

Hattori: You’re not going to eat, Matori-chan?

Rei: … What did you just say?

Hattori: You’re. Not. Going. To. Eat. Matori-chan.

Rei: I wasn’t asking you to repeat yourself… Who’s “Matori-chan”?

I have a name, and it’s Izumi—

Hattori: But you’re not with us. You’re with the NCD.

So Matori-chan it is.

Rei: …

My chest gave a painful twitch at the clear line he was drawing against me.

It wasn’t like I wanted to get friendly with him or anything, but we were supposed to be working together on the same team from now on.

Hattori: By the way, where’s your place, Matori-chan?

Rei: My house? It’s about two and a half hours from here…

Hattori: Too far. Move out at once.

Rei: About that, I’m also looking at places right now.

(Since it seems likely I’ll be leaving the house early and getting home late, and with urgent call-ins as well.)

I’ll search for someplace online, so as soon as I have my next day off, I’ll meet with a realtor—

Hattori: How easygoing of you… Above, to the side, or below. Which do you prefer?

Rei: Excuse me?

Hattori: Above. To the side. Below.

Rei: (Is this some sort of command?)

Then… I’ll go with below.

Hattori: Gotcha. So the room below mine.

I’ll make all the arrangements for it.

Rei: …

U-Um, if I’m not mistaken here—

Hattori: You’re not. You’ll be living in the room below mine.

We’re neighbours… or maybe not quite. Bunkmates?

I guess we’ll be in this top and bottom position, both officially and privately.

Rei: No way…

Hattori: Why didn’t you just heed my warning, hmm~

For the first time ever, Hattori-san showed me a smile.

Hattori: Here comes a sucker just begging to be looted? Like a moth to a flame? No, that’s not it. Oh, right—

Welcome to Hell.

Rei: !

I didn’t believe for one second that what he was saying in that matter-of-fact tone was a joke.

Suddenly, the words of advice that Mano-san had given me was fresh in the back of my mind.

“Life isn’t always about making the right decisions.”

“Try not to regret your choices, okay?”

Rei: (Looks like I’m already regretting it though.)

(Was this… really for the best?)

Hattori: The red bean paste here sure does taste good~

In contrast to myself, who seemed close to fainting, this person referred to as the Archdemon was fondly digging into the cutesy cake.