Part 77: Continuing the Conversation

Bam, baaan!

The sound hitting my ears was almost identical to that of a party cracker going off, causing a dull ache to surge through my abdomen.

Ignoring the pain, I lunged forward.

"!?!"

Makoto stared at me with shock.

That moment of surprise was all the opening I needed.

Swinging the hidden whip I'd been holding back, I struck Akechi's cheek. For an instant, he twitched as if electrified—then froze completely.

Seizing his head without delay, I activated the "Subjugation" skill.

"……What? ……What are you…?"

Seems he can still speak, at least a little.

"Don't be afraid. I'm not going to kill you."

He wasn’t foolish enough to take those words at face value, and though his face was slick with sweat, he still tried desperately to resist.

But it was useless. His entire body remained frozen in an unnatural rigidity, not twitching at all.

“Ah… ah……”

Right beside us, the girl was completely paralyzed with fear, clutching her head in both hands.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to hurt you—”

At that moment—

“Boss! Is something wrong!”

It was Oda-san who had opened the door upon hearing the noise.

And then—his eyes widened in shock.

For a brief instant, our gazes met.

“What the hell are you doing, you bastard!”

“…Damn it.”

He muttered under his breath, releasing his grip on Megumi.

Then, kicking aside the snacks on the table, he moved toward Oda-san, raising the “whip” he’d been carrying.

“Damn it!”

Oda-san's reaction was swift and precise.

The moment he broke away from the boss, he aimed at my forehead and pulled the trigger of the gun with perfect accuracy.

"——gurk!"

A headshot.

It felt as if something hard had struck my head, forcing my upper body violently backward.

My slow-motion gaze caught the dishes on the table shattering into pieces.

Ah, this... I'm probably dead now...?

In the very next instant, I was upright once more.

No matter what situation I was in, as long as my body could move, I had a duty to fulfill.

"Ah… a monster!?"

Ido panicked.

Well, I can't really blame him.

I gently placed my "whip, someday" right onto his chest.

"…Ah, no!"

He too became immobilized, just like Akagi.

"Ah… gah… go…"

Without a word, I grabbed him by the collar and swiftly pulled him behind the sofa, hiding him from view.

Then, I resumed the subjugation over Akagi.

"Y-...y-you can't..."

His feeble verbal resistance was futile—successfully turning Akagi into my "slave."

(Once your body regains movement, clean the table. Act as if nothing happened.)

As I mentally commanded,

"……k…"

Akagi's expression darkened, overwhelmed by the irreversible order.

I then applied the "Subjugation" skill to Oda's head as well.

A crackling, searing tension filled the air, as if skin were being burned.

Eventually, Akechi slowly rose to his feet, carefully tossing the scattered sweets and broken dishes onto the table into the trash bin.

His expression clearly conveyed nothing but "dissatisfaction."

I was prepared for it, but giving someone a forced order isn't exactly a pleasant feeling.

Before I could even finish thinking along those lines, Oda's "subjugation" was complete.

Justice will prevail!

You can't yet claim victory by boasting like that—there's still no real resolution to the situation.

The sound of three gunshots.

There probably won't be much leeway before those who are just watching the situation arrive here.

I reach out to Yoshida, who is still crouched down.

"Are you alright?"

"H-huh... w-w-wait..."

"I'm sorry for frightening you. I won't do anything rough—just stay quiet for a moment, okay?"

Without even needing to use the [Subjugation] ability, she nods vigorously, her face a picture of absolute obedience.

Then, quickly checking her face in a hand mirror.

She was shot in the forehead, right?...

When I looked, blood was indeed flowing from my forehead.

…Still, it didn’t feel like a fatal wound at all—more like something that just needed a bandage.

Just to be safe, I checked my abdomen where I’d been shot, and it felt much the same.

Maybe it’s thanks to my《Defense V》skill.

I didn’t even realize it, but I’ve become the kind of person who deflects bullets.

If that’s the case, I might as well give up on ever finding someone to marry me….

For now, I gently wipe the blood with a handkerchief.

Just that simple act erased nearly all traces of the gunshot.

At that moment, I hear multiple footsteps approaching from outside the door, heavy and rapid.

(Play it cool—convince them this is nothing.)

I order myself and sit back down on the sofa where I was before.

Perfect.

I stuff the remaining snacks into my mouth and wait for their arrival.

"What's going on!? Boss!"

"Gunfire!"

"Hey, Odaka! What are you doing!?"

Three of the senior staff members appeared, their faces pale with alarm.

I pretended nothing was wrong, casually shoving a slice of salami into my mouth like it was just another appetizer.

Ah, this is delicious. I should make a sandwich with some bread.

Ming, meanwhile, effortlessly displayed a masterful performance, even though I was clearly astonished by how well he was acting,

"…Nothing much, really."

and gave a gentle, reassuring smile.

"Just got a bit drunk and acted lively. Sorry for the trouble."

After a brief moment of puzzled expression, you all replied,

"……Ah, right. I guess I did make a bit of a scene."

Beneath织田's mask-like expression, the words "What exactly are you satisfied with, you idiots?" seemed to flicker just out of sight.

"It's fine. Thanks. Please close the door when you leave."

And then they departed.

...Phew.

It seems the mass slaughter scenario might be avoided after all.

Of course, I'll keep a close eye on them.

(From now on, absolutely no calling for allies or putting me in danger. If I see any such behavior, I'll order them to kill themselves immediately. Understood?)

"Y-yes, I understand."

"...Me too."

The two men nodded weakly.

The order will only be valid for five minutes, but saying this should prevent any reckless actions.

For now, at least, I can relax a little.

With what little smile I could manage, I said:

"Then, shall we resume? Dinner and... our conversation."