TEORA – Reaching for the Top of the Organization: Simple Plan – Chapter 60

Translator: Daikyun

Editor: SirDavidHill

 

Pray for me then

A few days had passed since the M-Meeting.
Neito, alongside Tsurugi, was gathering power for the newly founded company: Slayer.

Crimson, the Santana, the Okinawa branch of Metallica, as well as the forces Tsurugi had managed to gather in Neito’s absence made up Slayer’s main fighting power, with several members being augmented as modified humans.

Tsurugi was the vice-president, while Niina acted as the general manager. Niina could have been his aide or strategist, but he decided that he would give those roles to more suitable individuals.

Anice was his connection to Crimson, so she was his secretary.

The had Crimson’s [Over-Technology], the amphibious Santana, the talented magician, Jamie Rockaway, and several others.

This was what the company, [Slayer], had.

No one doubted that this company was strong. They were few, but they were an embodiment of darkness.

They did all of the necessary preparations underground.
(TLN: Author uses 水面下 which means underwater as to the proposed “underground”)

Before they could revolt, they still needed to take care of one last detail.

[…Only ‘that’ matter remains then, Boss?]

Neito was currently in an ‘Executives Only’ room.

Only Tsurugi was in that room with him. It was already very late, but as they sat on the sofa, they were checking to see if all the necessary preparations had been finished.

[…Yeah, to be honest, I really don’t like it…]

Hearing Tsurugi’s words, Neito rolled on the sofa.

[Well, it can’t be helped… but you were the one who suggested this, Boss. Even I didn’t think of it]

[That may be the case but… When it comes down to it, how do I say this… that, yeah that…]

Neito let out a sigh.

He himself knew it. In order for Slayer’s invasion to be successful, they needed one person.
He just didn’t like being that person.

Neito always did what needed to be done. He never regretted his decisions. Defeat them when needed, betray them when needed.

It was for his objectives when what Niina called his ‘serious mode’ was activated, allowing the black flame in him to burn bright without hesitation.

That was that.

The people surrounding him must have misunderstood him, or in a way, his image must have been exaggerated. In truth, Neito was a coward and a loser. He tried his best not to look like one, though.

That was how Neito thought of himself.

There were times when he felt disgusted with himself, and he still had a hard time dealing with women. If Niina knew his past experience with women, there was no doubt that he would be made fun of.

This was this.

[By the way, I embarrassed myself in front of the other executives… Thinking about it now makes me want to shrink… I’m surprised how I made it through. They were really scary… Raz-san was way too big, and the consultant Hamet looked like a ghost…]

Neito took a sip of coffee and stared into the distance idly.

[Hmph, that part of you never changes.]

Tsurugi was smiling in an unruly manner.
They were somehow off topic now. No, it was Neito’s fault that this occurred.

Excluding ‘that’ matter, everything was proceeding ahead of schedule, and it could be said that they were allowed a brief break. Nonetheless, he wanted everything done as soon as possible.

As he was about to return to the previous discussion, a voice interrupted him.

[Good work~su. It’s me, can I come in? I’m coming in~]

(TLN: Err, trying out if ~su could match his carefree attitude… Imagine Lapusregina from Overlord… but a guy)

A high-pitched voice resounded throughout the room.

He knocked, announced his presence, and entered the room. He did all three at once. While inside the main office’s executive area, they were still having a meeting.

With Neito who was ‘an individual with evil charisma’ and the ‘victorious General’, Tsurugi, inside the room, there was only one person who could enter so casually.

[… Niina, you… ummm… you should wait for an answer before you enter the room.]

[Sorry ’bout that. Well, calm down. Do you want some Macadamia Chocolate Nuts?]

[You really took a vacation to Hawaii, huh? I’m surprised you still managed to do that in this situation.]

While Neito was away, Niina, alongside Anice, took command of Crimson in the United States. Since it was time for the company [Slayer] to rise, he called him over from the states.

But as soon as Niina heard of the plan on the phone, he said, “It’s wasteful if our allowance given by the main office went unspent”. So, he decided to stop over at Hawaii before coming to Japan.

[Hm? Of course. It’s okay. Work is work, and I’ve already done all the necessary preparations.]

He had already prepared the funds and other necessary preparations in secret before going on vacation. Since this fact was true, he might deserve it after all.

That was very Niina-like of him.

“If we fail we’ll die right?” Those were his words when Neito told him of the plan.

“If we succeed, I’m going to be an executive, right? I can finally flex all I want, and the pay will be much higher than when I was hired!” Those were the words he said in the middle of his small vacation.

The atmosphere in the room lightened as Niina entered with a smile. It was weird how he cheered all of them up.

[Fu~, it’s been a while, Niina.]
[Oh! Tsurrugi-san! It’s been a while too!]

[I heard about your exploits in the states. You’ve grown as a man, huh?]
[No~ Well? That’s true!]

[You look tan too.]
[Of course, maybe like this? Or this?]

Both of them acted weird, after all, it had been a while since they held a conversation due to their different work schedules.

[And? What were you doing? Were you having a meeting?]

[Yeah, you came in at the right time.]

Hearing Neito’s words, Niina stared into the table which had several articles pertaining to the topic.

[*sigh* You’ve already discussed that much, it should be fine.]

He didn’t know whether he was getting used to it, but Niina’s attitude put Neito at ease. In the span of a few seconds, he grasped the entire situation with ease. Neito secretly wished that Niina would give some of that talent to him.

[A~nd that’s that. Why don’t we go out for a drink?]

Hearing Niina’s remark, Neito looked at Tsurugi.

It was already very late, and, to be frank, he was already tired. Not to mention he was also hungry and wanted a drink.

[… You’re really hopeless… Then let’s go, Boss.]
[… Yeah.]

Neito and Tsurugi sighed and stood up from their seats with faces of mirrored relief.

**

[Oww!]

Neito instinctively pulled back.

[Ten minutes hasn’t even passed, Senpai. Of course, it’s going to be hot.]
[What’s hot will always be hot.]
[… I’m just getting started.]

There were three of them. They each had a towel to cover themselves and were inside a high-temperature room.

Before they went out for drinks, Tsurugi suggested something unexpected.
Since they had been working non-stop for the past week, they wanted to relieve their stress.

“At times like this, this was very handy. Alcohol tastes good after you exert effort in your work. Alcohol serves as a refresher to your body.” This was what Tsurugi said.

It was unusual for Tsurugi to say something like this, but Neito didn’t have any experience in the matter, so he assumed that Tsurugi must be right. He went together with Tsurugi and Niina to the sauna.

[… Will this really take the stress off, Tsurugi?]
[Indeed, it’ll come out quite nicely.]

Coincidentally, there were no other people other than Neito’s group in the sauna.

Neito, who was reaching his limit, put up a nervous pose, grasping his legs with his hands.
Niina, on the other hand, was still taking it easy while talking nonchalantly.
Tsurugi folded his arms and sat quietly as he closed his eyes.

[By the way, Senpai. Have you spoken with Maki-san since you arrived in Japan?]
[Yeah… A bit.]
[……]

Niina had started his train of chit-chat. It was a way to take his mind off the heat, so Neito didn’t object.

[What happened at that hotel? Ah-, you at least had a meal together, right?]
[Ah- Yeah, we did.]
[… I heard that the Boss brought her to a separate room after that.]
[Ha?! Are you serious?!]

‘Shit, it came to this after all’

[Senpai… Could it be… you-]
[I’m gonna transform.]
[Okay-, sorry ’bout asking.]

There were some parts he wanted to keep from the two of them, so he decided to cut off the conversation as soon as possible.

[… Instead of the Boss, what about you? Niina, aren’t you already twenty-four?]

[Yeah, but twenty-four isn’t that young anymore. I do have a steady girlfriend. Ah, she’s a new one, unlike the previous one I told you about.]
[You’re kidding me!]
[Eh? You didn’t know, Senpai? Even Tsurugi-san has a woman, right? It may sound complicated, but I have many experiences with my previous exes.]
[…No… But that isn’t obvious.]
[Fu~…]

A conversation similar to what had been discussed continued for a while.
As surprising as it was, Niina had different girlfriends. One in Okinawa, one in Tokyo, and one in New York.

From Neito’s view, he wanted to ask, “Were they your lovers?” but that much would be obvious.

Niina was smart and knew all sorts of things. Niina, who was charismatic and good with socialization would surely appeal to most women.

Tsurugi, on the other hand, had a ‘way to handle women’. He was extremely gentleman-like and had his techniques to attract a female.

Neito now confirmed that Niina who he branded as “Mr. Person” had a girlfriend.

He knew beforehand that Tsurugi was famous with women. He was good with words, and always had a way to make women worry about him without saying a word, and he did it with proficiency. Of course, he would be popular.

Thoughts like ‘unlike me, my subordinates are… ‘usually popped up in Neito’s thoughts.

[… And Tsurugi has an amazing physique as usual.]

Tsurugi, who was sitting beside him was showing off his muscles in the nude. He wasn’t really ‘ripped’ per se, but his muscles had been well trained and toned due to his line of work. Normally, that couldn’t be seen with the clothes he wore, but now it could be thoroughly seen.

[Is that the case?]
[That’s no joke. His body is too ripped.]

Niina then looked at himself. In Neito’s opinion, Niina had more of a model’s body.

Neito trained every day. While he was in the General Affairs Department, he always allocated a day solely dedicated to training.
He was formerly a NEET, after all, there was no way he could gain muscles that fast.

[How did you achieve that kind of body?]

[It’s impossible for you, Boss. It’s a matter of body frame and bone structure.]

[You don’t have to be frank about it. I’m really depressed by that.]

[Woah there, Senpai. You sure you don’t want to ask me how I did it? You would be more popular with women if you did.]

[Ah, yeah… Oww, it’s really getting too hot for me. I might faint anytime.]

[We’re not done yet. We still have to bathe after this, and then go back in the sauna. Doing three sets is the most basic.]

Time passed.

The sound of steam swirling accompanied them as the three kept talking.

After the topic of women and muscles, next came the topic of secrets and occasionally the topic of work.

The three of them stood on top of the ‘Evil’ corporate ladder, but now they were relaxed and spoke like high-school boys on a vacation night.

**

[…Fu~aah… I’m so sleepy]

Neito gulped down half a glass of alcohol.

After following Tsurugi’s suggestion, they headed off to the oden shop.
The first glass of beer tasted better than usual, cooling him off.

‘That was really refreshing!’ or ‘It really hits you when you’re thirsty’, now he understood what those beer drinkers meant.

The alcohol relieved his tired body, spreading goodness all throughout it.

This was a shop he was familiar with. They sat randomly, and they didn’t need to be mindful of their behavior.

He was reminiscing about the moment.

[One more~su.]

Niina was already firing himself up.

[Taisho, a cold one please.]

Tsurugi switched from beer to Japanese Sake.

After that, the conversation drifted into discussing Niina’s time in Hawaii as well as Tsurugi’s time back in the Italian mafia. Meanwhile, Neito talked about manga.

Niina was talking nonstop and Tsurugi followed with his reserved replies. To Neito, spending time with this weird bunch was fun.

This was an oden shop with an oden themed menu. Tonight, he ordered Miso Katsu for dinner. Since the owner was from Nagoya, he reflected a Nagoya accent too.

After two hours of drinking, Niina was drunk and was sleeping on the counter.

[… He’s hopeless as usual.]

Saying those words, Tsurugi covered Niina with his coat.

[I’ll be having another one before heading back.]
[Okay.]

Tsurugi took out a cigarette and held it in between his middle and index finger. He then raised his other index finger and lit the cigarette.

‘Shu~’ sounded off as the cigarette was lit.

[That’s amazing. Is that a byproduct of the modification?]

[Indeed, I practiced doing this without completely transforming. It’s useful in situations like this.]

‘I trained for it.’ Tsurugi said it so casually. It probably had some value in combat.

Tsurugi puffed a cloud of smoke and took a sip of his drink. Neito offered to pour more for him.

[Thank you. A cup to you too then, Boss.]
[Thanks.]

Japanese Sake was poured into his cup. He drank it all in one instance. Tonight was really fun.

But he decided on something after today.

[Hey, Tsurugi.]
[Yes?]

[I’ll be visiting a grave tomorrow. The grave of my saviour.]

He had been busy ever since he returned to Japan, and it may be too late, but he had to do it.

[Indeed, it’s better for you to do that.]

He had already spoken to Tsurugi about his savior. ‘I would have liked to meet him’, is how Tsurugi responded.

[And after that is done, I’ll take care of ‘that’]

‘That’. It involved something needed to be done in order for the new organization ‘Slayer’ to rise up.

Their company was composed of a small number of elites, people with special equipment, and trustworthy subordinates. It was almost complete.

There was one thing they were missing.

Tsurugi, Niina, and Anice were his subordinates in the company [Slayer] and Neito would normally stand on top. However, he already planned to have two people stand on top of the company. He needed someone who could manage and coordinate the entire company.

Normally, nobody would want two people standing as a head of a company. In their case, it was impossible not to do so.

There was no way that man would agree to work under him.

That person would stand on top of the company together with him.

He had the talent of which Neito didn’t possess.

If he didn’t agree with Neito’s proposition, [Slayer] would crumble to ashes.

In order to complete the puzzle, that man was needed as the final piece.

‘That man is strong, I’ll admit that.’

[I’ll talk to him directly afterward tomorrow.]
[… That would be the wisest course of action.]

‘Only us two can pull [Slayer] together.’

As they traverse this path, they would need to finally settle things between them.

Whether it started when he began to face off with other forces of evil or when they first met, this had been coming to both of them. They were going to settle it once and for all.

But first, it was a question whether that man would see the picture Neito was painting.

There was no other way than to directly make it easier to see.
On the other hand, he could devise a different plan instead.

[Well, pray for me then.]
[Indeed. Then, cheers.]

This was the fourth time they raised a cup to Neito, his manliness was raised to 100%.

**

Daikyun here, it’s been a while since I revisited this series. Finally free again so I think the chapter releases on this series will resume since Kuhaku will be handling ‘Fiance to the Duke’s Daughter’. Without further ado,

2 am thoughts with Daikyun: If your soul mate is a mute, holding his/her hands would be the most poetic way to shut him/her up.

“Why am I torturing myself with this food vids at 2 am…?”

-Daikyun