I’m Just an Underling of an Evil Organization, but for Some Reason I was Ordered to Honeytrap the He

 12 - Respite

Once a week, I am given a medical exam in person by Doktor Satow. 

When I first returned, I thought I’d be recruited to help with our anti-Akkad strategies, but I was told, “The next strategy is already in the middle of development1. Just as we intended, Akkad has already become infatuated with you. For now, it is best if you stay within my reach. Everything is progressing smoothly.”

I was given no orders to change what I was doing. 

 

On the other hand, Humbaba didn’t seem to be doing too well on the battle front. 

 

“Shit! Chupa! Watch where you’re going!”

 

“AAAAAHHH!”

 

“EEK! He’s really letting it loose!”

 

“Hehehe… I got finished off so easily…”

 

We were all camped out in front of the cafeteria’s TV during our hour break; some guys were  originally from the Assault Unit, but no one could hold back their nervous grimaces2.

Even the Chupacabra, Shadow-People, and Tsuchinoko brothers fell tragically before Akkad. 

 

There were rumors that Akkad had started up his own company for logistical support, and his allies that had started appearing were his followers from his former unit. 

Now that he had organized support, his fighting ability was steadily climbing to that of a monster’s.  

 

I saw Akkad appear on the screen, and I felt a phantom of that dream-like domesticity. 

I wonder what you’re thinking right now. 

You still look so cool, with your cheeks slightly split down the middle, so you look a little more wild than you were when you were with me.3

 

“My apologies, my lady.”

 

I was summoned by Doktor Satow to a building I haven’t been inside of before in the two months that have passed since I returned to Humbaba. 

When I tried to board the elevator, I crashed into something. 

 

Oh dear. I really have to pay more attention to what’s in front of me 4.

I bounced back like I’d crashed into an air-bellow, but before I could fall, I was caught by a pair of powerful arms. 

I looked up at the other person, and saw that it was a large, gangly man who was glowing silver. His eyes were far too large to be normal, and they were white to boot. 

This had to be the latest Kaijin, Gray.

 

 “Thank you. But I’m not a woman.”

“Then I sincerely apologize for the mistake. If you’d be willing, could you tell me your name?”

“Hiroto No. 1, sir.”

“I am Gray. You do not need to speak politely to me.”

Even though he seemed to have been getting off, Gray got back on the elevator. What floor?, he asked, and pressed the corresponding box on the touch panel when I replied. 

 

“This is the first time I’ve met someone who’s a Kaijin.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m glad to have met you. This building is where top-secret Kaijin are stored, so only a restricted number of people are allowed to enter.”

He explained everything to me amiably, and we rode down together until we got to my floor. I inputted my biometrics and got out of the elevator. He slowly waved goodbye as the elevator climbed upwards.

 

“Then that means Akkad is not a Kaijin to you.”

But no one was there to hear Gray’s words. 

 

The serious matter Doktor Satow had wanted to discuss was a defect that he found in my internal organs, and that he would have to perform a transplant. 

I was ordered to not overdo it at work, to keep to clerical work, and to stop all physical labor outside of light exercise.

 

However, even after I received the organ transplant, the state of my body gradually worsened. 

I’d get lost in thought in the middle of work more and more, and when I noticed, I’d fall into terrible self-loathing, and the area around my stomach felt ill and nauseating. 

 

Despite doing easy work all day, my mind slipped away again, and far from getting angry, my coworkers were worried. 

 

“Hiroto, I’m really worried about you. You should have the Doktor examine you.”

“The Doktor has already thoroughly examined me. Apparently, there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“You’re sure there aren’t any irregularities in your brain? Like what if there’s a different illness?”

Yuuki went as far as to drag me to an empty office and lay me down on the sofa. 

 

“Maybe it’s something the Doktor can’t catch. Just let me take you to the medical office.” The communications device in his hand burst to life with chatter, so I replied, “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

 

At that moment, the intruder alarm screamed.

Footnotes

練っている lit. being kneaded, being polished, being refined, etc. 渇いた笑い lit. thirsty smile i.e. your throat has gone dry I think he’s talking about seams running down his cheeks. Like the Transformers G1 character designs all have cheek seams, e.g. Bumblebee 全貌不注意 lit. not keeping one’s eyes on the road