Hiromitsu Morofushi had exactly that in mind and agreed readily. He needed someone who understood the banquet hosted by Ino Seigo, this man might be a good choice.
Do you always come here to rest alone?
“Yeah,” the other replied. “I like observing different people; the view from the second floor is excellent.”
I won't comment on that hobby for now, but it's also why he chose the second floor, Hiromitsu Morofushi said, "Ino-kun's party is very suitable for you."
"I think so too." The man stood up, resting his arms casually on the second-floor railing. In the hall directly below them, other guests were gathered in small groups, chatting amongst themselves.
Everyone invited here shares something in common with Ino-kun. With people coming and going, it's inevitable that the interests of the invitees overlap, so attending a banquet also provides the opportunity to meet others with the same hobbies.
He said meaningfully, "It's possible that I also share common interests with you."
Hiromitsu Morofushi said politely, "Ino-kun has a wide range of interests; perhaps the three of us really do share some common hobbies."
Yeah, he has liked it for many years.
Leaving behind a cryptic remark, the man left just like that.
Hiromitsu Morofushi was puzzled, watching that figure disappear around the corner of the stairs.
He occupied the second-floor balcony, standing at a high vantage point to carefully observe every invited guest. When Ino Seigo questioned him, he grandiosely used the name of the person who was also observing from the second floor as an excuse, pretending he was only doing so out of curiosity; Ino Seigo's reaction was somewhat subtle.
Except for that strange man, he didn't find anything special at the banquet. After expressing to Ino Seigo that he found the banquet very interesting and hoped to attend again in the future, he said his goodbyes and left.
It was already late at night by the time he returned to the Safe House, Yamawashi had already gone to rest.
He didn't turn on the light. He stepped lightly, took off his coat, leaned back into the sofa. Under the dim glow of the phone screen, a few words reflected in his blue eyes.
[Aotsuki]
The high-ranking members of this mysterious Organization have become an obsession for him since he left the Organization; he seizes every opportunity to investigate this person's information, every day, as soon as he opens his eyes, an unsolved mystery awaits his resolution.
He even felt fortunate to have such a mystery to distract him. Using his final period of rest before returning to his work at Public Security, he traveled to France to pursue the events of many years ago, mingling among mercenaries. That atmosphere, similar to his time in Scotland, left him both calm and startled. In the dead of night, he would always find himself subconsciously thinking of Yamawashi. He knew he shouldn't focus too much on Yamawashi; this brief trip to France was his final indulgence. After leaving France, everything had to return to the right track.
In the face of matters concerning the Organization, Yamawashi's presence and departure seemed less important; he could not be honest with others about why he was so obsessed with investigating Aotsuki and having this kind of relationship.
.. Just as he couldn't explain why he hadn't insisted on having Yamawashi sign the registry on Mermaid Island.
Hiromitsu Morofushi's hand reached out subconsciously to the side, but he felt nothing.
It couldn't be called returning to its original owner; that dagger simply no longer belonged to him.
That's fine too.
..
Daybreak arrived.
Hiromitsu Morofushi prepared enough breakfast for two, but after Yamawashi woke up, she still cooked a separate portion for herself, as if ignoring him and the breakfast he had prepared.
He was used to this; as long as he got to eat breakfast in the end, it didn't matter whose breakfast it specifically was.
They remained silent, without any communication, as if everything had returned to the quietness of the time they spent together three years ago in their memories.
Yamawashi did not ask him what he had been doing last night; more than that, Yamawashi cared more about whether he had been diligently carrying out Scotland's missions and maintaining Scotland's image and status within the Organization.
Doing this was likely so that he could quickly return to his original life when the real Scotland returned, but if such a day truly comes, Scotland will probably have already become history along with the Organization.
I don't know what Yamawashi has been up to, but in the past, there weren't many missions executed alongside Yamawashi. However, as a partner, Yamawashi is impeccable, as long as he doesn't suddenly turn violent against his own people.
That morning, they traveled to Hokkaido together.
When he was first reborn, the Yamawashi people were on a mission in Hokkaido, this mission was a continuation of that previous one. Yamawashi was very familiar with the mission base, everything went smoothly until a sudden change occurred during the retreat.
He was changing his magazine when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his partner, who was like a god of war, had suddenly stopped moving. He shouted, "Yamawashi!"
Whether they win or not is secondary; their objective has already been achieved, so even a direct retreat would mean the mission was successfully completed. He naturally trusted Yamawashi's strength, but if she were actually injured, the cost would be too high.
"Yamawashi?!" he shouted again.
A stray bullet grazed Yamawashi's side, kicking up a spray of blood. Hiromitsu Morofushi's pupils contracted sharply, by the time he reacted, he had already rushed over to forcibly drag him away. Only after reaching cover did he notice the object in Yamawashi's hand.
He froze, his voice rising in a question that caught in his throat, he subconsciously checked Yamawashi's expression. "This.. how could this.."
The dagger that had blocked the bullet during the island mission had, in the end, broken.
Chapter 24
The dagger of Yamawashi is almost a symbol of Yamawashi. Given how low-profile Yamawashi himself is, while the strength he displays is excessively high-profile, many people who are unaware of the situation refer to Yamawashi with lingering fear as "that guy with the dagger," or simply call him "the Black Dagger."
In fact, the dagger's condition was already not great before the island mission. By forging the dagger to be so thin and sharp, even with high-level forging skills, the blade would inevitably be more brittle than a conventional dagger. Furthermore, this dagger had been used for many years; the fact that no major issues had occurred during that time was simply the result of its owner's care.
Hiromitsu Morofushi had guessed that this situation would arrive sooner or later, but he hadn't expected it to be today. This inevitably made him think of the day Yamawashi suddenly died for him, which had also come without warning.
Yamawashi hadn't spoken a word all day, as usual, there was a silence in his quietness that felt different from normal. Even someone who didn't know Yamawashi well could easily guess that the dagger held a special significance for him.
At night, while helping Yamawashi treat the wound on his palm under the pretext of doing it for Scotland's sake, he suggested handing the dagger over to him for repairs.
I know a master blacksmith; perhaps he might have a way.
Yamawashi just leaned back in the sofa, turning his head to the other side, quietly gazing at the night sky outside the window.
Anyone would want some peace and quiet at a time like this, let alone Yamawashi, who already loved the quiet. Hiromitsu Morofushi carefully bandaged Yamawashi's wounds. When the dagger broke, the other half flew off with a sharp "clang." In a moment of urgency, Yamawashi actually caught the blade with his bare hands; this was the most serious injury he had sustained during this mission.
Yamawashi did not care about his injuries; he seemed to be used to trading his own safety for that one moment of a killing blow, but his strength was undoubtedly overwhelming, so he was able to escape unscathed most of the time. After reflecting for a long while, Hiromitsu Morofushi actually discovered that the injuries Yamawashi sustained always seemed to be inextricably linked to this dagger.
.. It was probably because this was Yamawashi's most frequently used weapon.
Fortunately, Yamawashi ultimately handed the dagger to him, this trust made him feel much more at ease.
He indeed knew a master blacksmith.
After Yamawashi died, he naturally inherited that dagger. As one of Yamawashi's few remaining relics, it was inevitable that he would start with this dagger to piece together his past.
This dagger was so special that it might have some history. After several introductions, he obtained the address of a master craftsman skilled in forging short blades, but upon visiting, he learned that the craftsman had passed away not long ago. Consequently, the investigation eventually fizzled out amidst his increasingly busy work.
Perhaps that bladesmith could have restored the dagger, even if only by rejoining the pieces.
Hiromitsu Morofushi told himself that, looking at the facts, he should return something to Yamawashi; he and Yamawashi were in a cooperative relationship, easing the tension between them would be beneficial for the mission.
He had researched the blacksmith's preferences; when he had come to investigate the dagger, he had carefully chosen an appropriate gift. Now, he only needed to prepare something similar, things went as expected. Upon seeing what he had brought, the blacksmith changed his mind and received him.
You want to repair a friend's broken knife?" The blacksmith was deeply moved by this reason and immediately said, "Bring the knife out and let me see it.
Hiromitsu Morofushi breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't fully relax, as whether it could be repaired would depend on the actual situation.
As the blacksmith opened the box, a look of sudden shock crossed his face, causing Hiromitsu Morofushi's heart to tighten. "Is it difficult to repair?"
No, I just didn't expect.. that it would be this one." The blacksmith carefully removed the hilt and examined the broken blade once more, his voice filled with emotion. "I thought I would never see it again.
You have seen this dagger before?
This is the dagger I crafted." The blacksmith stood up, gesturing for him to follow. "Forty years ago, I crafted this dagger for a friend of mine who was skilled with short blades.
I didn't expect there to be such a connection." Hiromitsu Morofushi probed privately, "Your friend is..
The blacksmith did not take the bait on this topic and interrupted him, "How old is that friend of yours?"
This question caught Hiromitsu Morofushi off guard; he truly didn't know Yamawashi's age, but it should be close to his own. He replied vaguely, "In his twenties."
The blacksmith didn't notice the uncertainty in his tone, still lost in his memories, muttered to himself, "That child should be about this big by now."
Hiromitsu Morofushi asked, "Do you know my friend?"
I knew your friend's parents." The blacksmith placed the broken blade on the workbench, observing it closely under the light. "A good weapon must be used by someone capable of pushing its power to the absolute limit, his father was exactly such a master of the blade.
The blacksmith stroked the crack on the dagger; he possessed an unimaginable understanding of weapons and could gather a great deal of information just from the signs of use. "That friend of yours is also quite talented."
Through several subsequent visits, Hiromitsu Morofushi pieced together a story from years ago, gathered bit by bit from the blacksmith's words.
The two people who grew up supporting one another were both members of a certain Organization. They formed a partnership and quickly made a name for themselves, remaining undefeated for several years. However, even the most solid love develops cracks over time, even worse, given their upbringing and personalities, neither of them realized the severity of the crisis, nor did they ever learn how to mend their relationship, watching helplessly as the person closest to them stepped closer and closer to a breaking point. An accident occurred in the tenth year of their separation; one died while performing a mission, that much-praised love had already become history. Most people only saw their constant conflict and relentless rivalry over those ten years. By the time the swordsmith heard the news and rushed over, it was already too late; the other had already committed suicide, their child was twelve years old that year.
I wanted to take that child with me back then, but I was too late; he had already vanished. Knowing that he is still alive, that he even inherited this blade, puts my mind at ease.
On the way back to the Safe House with the repaired dagger, the blacksmith's story swirled in his mind, another emotionless voice suddenly rang in his ears.
Many years ago, there was a pair of partners in the Organization, they were at odds with each other..
.. leaving their children behind, they died together in an instant.
When returning to the Safe House, Yamawashi was once again eating a bento from his favorite shop. Hiromitsu Morofushi sat on the sofa, tilting his head to quietly watch the scene.
Yamawashi's hair had grown slightly longer again; it was somewhat different from the exquisite appearance in his memory, yet also seemingly no different at all. He ate with exceptional speed, but his table manners were excellent, combined with the safe house's decor—which was low-key yet couldn't hide its luxury—he had always believed that Yamawashi came from an extraordinary background.
.. How did he manage to survive alone in a place like the Organization at just twelve years old? When he first learned about the Organization at the age of twenty-two, his heart raced with terror, he couldn't calm down for a long time.
Yamawashi only needs five minutes to eat a meal; only after he finished did Hiromitsu Morofushi take out that dagger.
Yamawashi froze for a moment, then carefully picked up the dagger. The broken part showed no trace of damage, even the dents and scratches left by the bullet impact had vanished; it looked just like a brand-new blade.
“The blacksmith said that since this is an old dagger after all, he could only do his best to repair it. There might be slight differences in weight, it might be difficult to restore its strength to its peak.”
Yamawashi was more familiar with this knife than he was; he gripped the hilt in a reverse grip and swung it sideways in a smooth motion, the blade slicing cleanly through the air before coming to a halt mid-air. His movements were powerful and swift, radiating a completely different kind of sharpness. Hiromitsu Morofushi watched Yamawashi test the blade without blinking, until finally, Yamawashi's fingertips lightly brushed across the blade, the softness in his expression vanishing in an instant.
Hiromitsu Morofushi watched so intently that he caught that hint of joy, he couldn't help but smile as well.
The atmosphere was appropriate, so he spoke tentatively, "That blacksmith said this is a dagger he crafted for a friend."
Yamawashi's fingers paused as he stroked the dagger.
“He told a story about that friend and asked me about the current status of the person who inherited the dagger.. I didn't reveal anything to him.” Hiromitsu Morofushi watched Yamawashi's expression closely, but Yamawashi's hair had indeed grown longer recently; as he lowered his head, his bangs fell over his forehead, just so happening to cover his eyes and eyebrows.
"Only after confirming that Yamawashi had no intention of silencing him did he feel at ease enough to continue. 'He said that his friend and—'" and
“He and his lover were both members of the Organization; they were partners.” Yamawashi interrupted, “Two people so in love, one wanted to leave the Organization while the other remained fiercely loyal to it. So they began to argue, even to the point of suspecting one another, remained in this stalemate for ten years. Then, one of them passed away suddenly, leaving the other in total despair. He committed suicide for love using the very dagger that had once made him famous, he believed until the very end that they had simply had a quarrel. In that person's world, there was only love and gratitude; the lover's child was not important, nor did he ever consider that the reason his lover wanted to leave the Organization was because she did not want their child to live a life like theirs—losing the protection of their parents. In the end, their child still walked the same path that had caused them such immense pain in the past.”
Yamawashi’s tone was flat and matter-of-fact, as if he were recounting a story that had nothing to do with himself. From the first time he had heard the tale from Yamawashi's lips until now, as the blacksmith added more details, the story had gradually become complete—and with it, he had fallen deeper into silence.
Yamawashi rarely spoke so many words at once.
The body forces one to forget certain painful memories, hypnotizing you into believing it wasn't that painful back then, making you feel in your subconscious that it was nothing special. That is why he doesn't think there's anything wrong with having grown up amidst the Organization; after all, both he and his beloved grew up that way, so their child can naturally endure it as well and won't feel there is anything wrong with staying in the Organization. After all, he is one of the few from that generation who bet on the right side, truly winning out to the end with the BOSS's favor and appreciation, holding a transcendent status.
Yamawashi suddenly turned his head. "Why are you making that expression at me? Do you think that child is pitiful? Do you want to avenge him?"
“.. That is not something a child should have to go through,” Hiromitsu Morofushi said. “What I am working for now is the hope that more situations like this won't happen in the future.”
“What a noble ideal.” Yamawashi smiled, but the curve of his lips was so faint that even his smile felt cold and detached. "Fine then, I'll give you a chance right now to carry out your so-called justice."
Hiromitsu Morofushi: ".. Hmm?"
Yamawashi gripped his shoulder with one hand. Despite his confusion, Hiromitsu Morofushi still cooperatively turned his body, allowing the dagger to press against his neck, but he merely tilted his head back, neither dodging nor resisting.
At this moment, he realized with shock that he had actually believed Yamawashi would not attack him, but his body's instincts did not lie; the moment the blade touched his skin, he still shuddered from the sudden chill.