落とし穴番外：霧の華が咲いた日 (Part1)
Side Story: Pitfall - The Day the Flower of Mist Bloomed
The Day the Flower of Mist Bloomed
Side: Kirika
*Rustle, rustle...*
Only the sound of turning paper echoed through the room. The source of that sound was the documents currently before my eyes: information from various countries, meticulously gathered by my subordinates.
Yet, in our intelligence department, where digitalization is rapidly advancing, one must question the true necessity of paper documents.
"Honestly," I mused, "I'd like to stop printing things out just for approval."
Indeed, the documents I, Kirika, was currently reviewing were applications for additional funds and supplies necessary for further tracking, as well as requests for permission to continue operations, all based on summaries of information from various countries gathered by the intelligence unit.
While the entirety of Weed still circulated paper documents, the intelligence unit I led typically refrained from printing out every piece of information.
Turning paper created noise, and if anyone were to glimpse it, a major problem would ensue. Thus, every member of our intelligence unit had adapted to digitalization, confirming documents and information via call screens. Besides, printing wasn't even an option in the field.
"Even so," I murmured, "this current situation is far better than it used to be."
Indeed, looking back, things were truly dreadful in the past. Not only the now-ubiquitous computers, but even our communication devices possessed document creation functions, yet initially, no one but Yuki could utilize such convenient tools. Everything was primarily handwritten on paper, and I, too, struggled immensely with every report I had to compile.
"If only we could get approval for data-only documents, then we wouldn't need paper at all and could handle all paperwork directly in the field... but," I decided, "let's save contemplating improvements to our work methods for later."
After all, if I were to impulsively implement work improvements, my subordinates wouldn't be able to keep pace. I'd have to create manuals from scratch and provide guidance, which is no simple task. Furthermore, I couldn't act unilaterally; not only Yuki, my direct superior, but also Seraria and even Aslin would need to review it. All things considered, it would necessitate significant adjustments.
So, for now, I would focus on completing this task, and I would compile information on document submission methods and similar matters later.
With that resolve, I returned to my duties.
As I continued with my various tasks, I suddenly noticed that the day outside had faded, and the darkness of night now enveloped the surroundings.
Our department was a top-secret entity within Weed, so there were no shops nearby, not even the shadow of a building. We were, after all, part of the military, and meticulous care was taken with information management.
"Is it already this late?" I wondered aloud. "I'm not finished yet, but for now, I should get something to eat."
Though only a little remained, I judged that my concentration would wane if I pressed on, so I decided to venture out for a meal.
Today, someone else was attending Yuki, and even if an emergency arose, I could instantly teleport there. So, I decided to take my time, explore the town a bit, and dine out.
*This is also part of intelligence work, isn't it?* I thought, a hint of an excuse in my mind, as I made my way to Weed's busiest commercial district.
*Chitter-chatter, hustle and bustle...*
This place was always teeming with people, no matter when I saw it. No, more accurately, the numbers seemed to swell year by year.
For me, who had known Weed since before it even took the form of a nation, its current state felt like an entirely different era.
It had begun as a plain, barren save for trees. Then, when Yuki brought Eris and the other slaves there, the "village" project truly commenced.
Soon after subduing Litea, we found ourselves accepting refugees en masse, and the settlement rapidly expanded from a "village" to a "town," which had been quite a challenge.
After countless events, the "town" had not only blossomed into a "nation," but interactions had expanded beyond mere major powers to include "great nations" on "other continents," even leading to the establishment of something called the "Intercontinental Exchange Alliance."
Due to these developments, both tourists and residents in Weed had seen an explosive increase.
"Of course," I mused, "the number of troubles has increased proportionally."
My intelligence department, in particular, kept a vigilant eye everywhere to preemptively avert such troubles.
"Oh, no, no," I chided myself. "Though it's part of intelligence work, my primary objective is a meal. That takes precedence."
If I were to squander too much time on a meal and delay my work, it would be a major problem. Still, with tasks yet unfinished, and knowing that eating too much would make me drowsy, I decided to seek out something moderate.
As for options, something light, perhaps a sandwich or pasta, would suffice.
Just as I settled on my objective and prepared to move, a sound reached me...
"Kirika-chan!"
"Kirika! Over here!"
Cute voices calling my name drifted from afar.
There was no mistaking the owners of those voices. I immediately turned in their direction...
"Aslin, Firia, is something the matter?" I asked, turning to see the two of them hurrying towards me.
And as they rushed towards me without the slightest deceleration, I braced myself...
"Caught you!"
"We caught you!"
With those exclamations, I firmly caught the two as they leaped into my embrace.
There was no one in this world who would ever avoid the embrace of these two.
"I've been caught," I chuckled. "So, sisters, what's going on?" Gently setting them down, I inquired about the reason for their sudden embrace. Had something happened? Or was it merely the playful antics of my adorable sisters?
"Well, you see," Aslin began, "we came to look for Kirika."
"That's right," Firia added, "we came to look for Kirika."
"Me?" I asked, surprised. "If so, you didn't have to go to the trouble of searching; you could have simply called me."
A summons from either of them, and I would respond instantly, even if it meant teleporting into the heart of enemy territory. But, setting my own resolve aside, why had they come looking for me in person?
"Well, you see," Aslin explained, "we came to tell you that Kirika is off duty after this."
"Off?" I repeated, bewildered. "Me?"
"That's right," Firia confirmed. "Today is Kirika's day off from work."
*Huh? Today is a holiday?* No, I had been working until sunset, and I couldn't possibly be mistaken about the date or day of the week. Still, it wouldn't be right to immediately deny my sisters' words, so I would check properly. Yet, I was certain today was a normal workday for me.
"No," I insisted, "it's a normal workday for me."
"It's not," Aslin countered, holding out a document. "Here."
Aslin said that, handing me a single document. Taking it in my hand, I saw today's date at the top, and even Yuki's signature.
The content read...
"Kirika is hereby placed on mandatory leave starting from the moment this document is received today."
It was written rather haphazardly for an official order.
"Um, what is this about?" I asked, completely unable to discern the intent of the order. As I turned my bewildered gaze to Aslin and Firia, they both offered me very cute smiles.
"From now on," Firia declared, "Kirika is going to eat dinner with us!"
"That's right," Aslin chimed in. "Today, Kirika is going to come home with us, eat dinner with everyone, and then sleep. Yuki said that since you're always so busy, you should get some proper rest today."
"I see," I murmured. "Yuki did."
However, serving Yuki and the others was both my mission and my greatest joy. Furthermore, a demon like me had absolutely no issue being worked as much as possible, yet...