Inside the Port Mafia building.
Kurumi and the guiding secretary walked quickly down the corridor.
Exquisite red carpet covered the floor, inlaid with gold threads forming simple yet uniquely charming patterns. On both sides of the path were dark brown solid wood walls, embedded with ornate Western-style wall lamps that illuminated the way forward. The European-style architecture made it both luxurious and classical.
However, if one observed closely, one could find clues.
Every corridor had diligently installed surveillance cameras on the ceiling, monitoring every inch of the building's space. If one looked closely at the walls, one could also see traces of secret compartments. If an intruder was detected, poison gas and automatic machine guns would activate to eliminate them... This was the Port Mafia's main base, and also the most impregnable fortress in all of Yokohama.
Anyone wishing to break in here would have to weigh whether they possessed sufficient strength, otherwise, the moment they took their first step inside, they would never see tomorrow's sun again.
Soon, led by the Boss's secretary, after repeated identity verifications and an elevator transfer, Kurumi finally arrived at the underground parking garage.
Black cars belonging to the Port Mafia were parked there, as gloomy as coffins, with every entry and exit accompanied by death.
"Well then, my duty ends here. I wish you a smooth operation."
After completing the task assigned by the Boss, the secretary turned and left, leaving Kurumi alone.
Once the secretary had departed, Kurumi stepped into the parking garage, searching for the driver.
Looking around, she quickly spotted a figure standing next to a car not far away.
It was a female Mafia member, dressed in a men's suit, with short blonde hair simply tied back, looking mature and capable, exuding the aura of a strong career woman.
"Hello."
Kurumi walked over, greeting her: "I am Kurumi, the executor of this mission. Please guide me for the journey ahead."
"Ah..."
Seeing Kurumi, who was dressed in an elaborate evening gown and exceptionally young, the capable woman clearly froze, somewhat slow to react. She apparently hadn't anticipated that the mission executor would be such a young girl.
But years of experience working within the organization quickly brought her back to normal, and she extended her hand, replying, "My name is Ichiyō Higuchi. It's a pleasure to meet you."
There is an accompanying image here, which can be viewed in an updated version.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Higuchi."
Kurumi shook her hand briefly as a greeting: "Thank you for taking me to the mission location."
"No trouble at all. Assisting the Roving Captain is one of my duties," Ichiyō Higuchi said. "Please get in."
The two got into the car, and Ichiyō Higuchi skillfully started the engine, following the navigation's instructions, driving out of one of the underground garage exits onto the surface road.
Through the window, Kurumi watched the city nightscape whiz by, exhaling deeply.
Only after leaving the Port Mafia headquarters did her highly concentrated mental state relax slightly.
Joining the Port Mafia was now a done deal.
During her direct confrontation with Ōgai Mori, she had maintained intense focus, carefully playing the role of Kurumi, trying to avoid any mishaps.
Although she had great confidence in the success of her plan, confronting a ruthless Mafia Boss, who truly killed without batting an eye, brought considerable psychological pressure to her, who had been a model citizen just an hour ago.
Fortunately, the final outcome was good; both sides reached a consensus with little conflict, allowing her to complete her side mission one.
The most difficult part was over; now she only needed to act as a member of the organization, obey orders, and then find opportunities to complete the other system tasks.
As Kurumi pondered her future course of action, Ichiyō Higuchi, driving in the driver's seat, occasionally glanced at Kurumi in the back seat through the rearview mirror.
As the secretary assisting the Roving Captain, this was Ichiyō Higuchi's first time serving someone else.
Because before this, there had only been one Roving Captain in the Port Mafia.
Her superior, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
The Port Mafia's Barking Mad Dog, the Hell Gatekeeper who reaped lives, the most dangerous person ranked first on the government's wanted list.
As the organization's top enforcer, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa faithfully carried out his duties, mercilessly eliminating every enemy in his path, demonstrating his value to the organization.
Infamy was the best praise, and human lives were medals of honor.
He coldly and ruthlessly carried out killings, interpreting the organization's prestige with the most direct violence.
Relied upon by his own people, viewed as a monster by others, possessing unmatchable strength—this was the Roving Captain in Ichiyō Higuchi's eyes.
However, this girl named Kurumi gave her no such feeling at all.
If that was the case, why was she able to become a core member of the organization like Ryūnosuke Akutagawa?
"Miss Higuchi, is there something you need?"
"Eh?"
"Because you seem to have been looking my way the whole time."
Ichiyō Higuchi was a little surprised; she had been observing stealthily, and Kurumi's gaze had always been directed outside the car, so how did she notice she was being watched?
However, since she had been discovered, there was no need to hide. Ichiyō Higuchi spoke frankly: "I... I was just curious why someone like Miss Tokisaki would join the Port Mafia."
"Someone like me?"
"Yes, how should I put it, like a young lady from high society, young, elegant, and well-mannered, a rich heiress who would never set foot in the dark side of society in her life."
"Thank you for the compliment, but I also have my reasons for joining."
"Alright, but as a senior in terms of work experience, I'll remind you that Mafia work is very tiring, both physically and mentally," Ichiyō Higuchi sighed. "Although it's too late to say it now, someone as young and talented as you should go somewhere else."
"Oh? Are you perhaps worried about me?"
Kurumi smiled, her crescent-moon eyes adding to her beauty: "Miss Higuchi is truly a kind person. But rather than worrying about me, I'm more concerned about whether Miss Higuchi is suitable for the Port Mafia."
Being seen through by someone she just met, Ichiyō Higuchi could only give a wry smile.
Initially, she had joined the Port Mafia simply out of admiration for Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, and she had already mentally prepared herself.
But she hadn't expected the work within the organization to be even more brutal and ruthless than she had imagined.
In the year since joining the organization, she had pretended to be a strong career woman, but her heart had long been exhausted.
She didn't regret it, but she was living a very difficult life.
Perhaps, it was precisely because she understood the true nature of the Port Mafia that she felt worried when seeing a girl like Kurumi step into this bottomless abyss.
"Don't worry, Miss Higuchi, I'm not as delicate as I seem. In fact, I'm quite capable."
Kurumi said with a smile:
"But still, thank you for your concern. I believe I can handle the Port Mafia's work."