Volume 13 Chapter 259-3 Bernard, Mission Aqua Impossible
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
According to the whispers that had been circulating, the mine was a place so hellish that even someone like Ethan would shake in his boots just thinking about it. It was said to be a soul-crushing pit where people were either broken or buried.
The rumors got worse: Apparently, the recidivism rate for anyone sent there and later “rehabilitated” stood at a terrifying 0%. No one ever came back from the mines.
”What the hell did you do?” I asked, my voice sharp, but barely masking my curiosity.
”I did awful things,” he muttered, his eyes clouding with shame. “I hurt a woman. And then I went after Shirogane Aqua’s woman. Picked a fight with Aqua himself. Of course, I lost.”
You could feel the weight of those words. He wasn’t just talking about his past mistakes. He was owning them. A full course of what you never do in a cult like this.
I stared at him, trying to wrap my head around it. “How the hell did you not get sentenced to death for that?”
Seriously. In a world where a single misstep could land you in the ground, his survival was a mystery. I figured the cult would have had him executed, no questions asked. But the fact that they’d sent him to a mine for rehabilitation, given him a second chance to make amends, it… made me rethink some things. Maybe, just maybe, the Holy Aqua Religion wasn’t as black-and-white as I had imagined.
”But I’m paying for it now,” he continued, voice low, distant. “Every day. In the darkness, digging a hole, I’ve had nothing but time to think. To reflect. I can’t undo what I’ve done, but maybe this work—this small job—is my atonement.”
I could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t playing the victim. He wasn’t trying to justify his actions. He was just… owning it. Trying to make peace with himself.
And then, there was the matter of what came next. “I sent apology letters to the women I wronged,” he said, almost like an afterthought. “I even had a lawyer negotiate some compensation. I know what it’s like to have your loved ones hurt. I have three daughters of my own. If someone did something like that to them…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
I understood. But there was no need for me to weigh in on it. The women had forgiven him, the matter settled. That was between them now.
”I’m sorry for dragging you into my story,” he added.
”Don’t worry about it. We’re working together now, remember?”
I reached out and extended my left hand to him, a simple gesture, but it felt like it carried weight.
”Sorry for the late introduction. Name’s Bernard Aylward. Not sure if your contact person told you about me, though.”
The man—Ken, he said his name was—looked up. For the first time since we started talking, his face softened into a smile. It wasn’t a joyful one. It was full of regret, as if he couldn’t quite believe he had the nerve to smile. He had stolen smiles from others, after all. Maybe he thought he didn’t deserve one.
”Ken,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just… Ken. No last name. I lost that along the way. Thanks to Shirogane Aqua, I finally saw how foolish I was.”
I gave his hand a firm shake.
”Nice to meet you, Ken.”
I said. There wasn’t much else to say.
* * *
Later that night, as was becoming my routine, I headed to the jazz bar where Oto Rurika worked. It had become more than just a stop for coffee and jazz. It was my daily escape, my way of finding a little peace amidst all the madness. Plus, since Shirogane Aqua frequented the place, it gave me the perfect cover for my mission.
The atmosphere was always calm, the soft hum of jazz filling the background while I sipped my coffee or tea, just trying to relax. Compared to my old job, where I was always dealing with complaints, no matter how late it was—this place was a godsend.
”Welcome,” Oto Rurika greeted me as I walked in.
Hmm. Something was off. Her voice, her expression—they seemed softer than usual.
Normally, I wouldn’t have noticed, but I wasn’t your average guy. I loved my wife and daughter the way Shirogane Aqua loved his. So when a woman was feeling off, I could sense it.
”You seem happy,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “What’s going on?”
Normally, I wouldn’t have said anything.
But today, Rurika didn’t have that usual cold air around her. She looked… relaxed. Open, even.
”Well, it’s just… I’m really looking forward to the school cultural festival,” she said, her voice carrying a softness that was rare from her.
”Oh? That’s nice,” I replied, keeping my tone gentle.
”Yes,” she said again, nodding, a faint smile on her lips. “Yes, it is.”
A school cultural festival, huh? That could only mean one thing. Shirogane Aqua must be involved. Either he’s doing something, or he’s about to.
I hadn’t heard anything official yet, but Ethan might know. I’d ask him.
* * *
The next day, I walked into the IAF headquarters. I didn’t waste time. I headed straight to Ethan’s office.
He looked up as I entered, that knowing grin already on his face.
”As expected of you, Aylward-kun. You noticed something’s up.” He tapped his fingers on the desk. “Actually, for this cultural festival, Aqua-sama is making a move. He plans to help Oto Rurika-san out of her current situation.”
Of course. It was him.
Shirogane Aqua… a man who moved the world in quiet, perfect steps. I’d bet everything I had on him.
”But, there’s a problem.”
His voice grew serious. I straightened my posture without thinking.
Before either of us could speak again, the door behind us opened. A few others stepped in, Ken among them. He gave me a small nod. I nodded back.
Ethan stood.
”Now that everyone’s here, listen closely.”
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a cassette tape, placing it on the table with care.
A cassette? In this day and age? I blinked. That was… nostalgic.
Ken tilted his head in confusion. He probably didn’t even know what it was.
Wait a second—Ethan, have you ever used one?
From the look on his face, I guessed not. Made sense. He was still young.
”Let me handle it.”
I took the tape, slid it into the player, and pressed the play button. Good thing I didn’t hit record. That would’ve erased everything.
A static crackle, then a distorted voice came through.
’Hello, members of the IAF. I’ll keep this short. I need your help.’
The voice sounded like a man, but it was off—too smooth, too filtered. It had been altered. Beneath it, I could hear something else. A woman’s tone, older, steady. Someone used to giving orders.
Could it be… her? The second seat of the Twelve Bishops? The one from the underground library?
’We’ve found evidence of a group planning to assassinate Shirogane Aqua during the festival. Your mission is to stop it—no matter what.’
My fists clenched. These people never gave up.
Then, the voice continued—
’If you are caught by police during this operation, we will take no responsibility. Secure an escape route beforehand, and once your mission is complete, withdraw immediately. And no, this tape will not self-destruct. I thought about doing that… But in this era, cassette tapes are rare. Please return it safely afterward!’
The room stayed silent.
Even in the middle of a deadly mission, they still had time for jokes.
Notes:
• Ethan – Male. Captain of the Impossible Aqua Force (IAF). Appears as a beautiful woman in a lavish dress but has an Adam’s apple, indicating he is likely a man in disguise. Silent and professional, with a focus on supporting Aqua-sama’s mission. His relationship with Bernard is that of a superior and new recruit.
• Bernard Aylward – A middle-aged man approaching 50, working at STAR LIGHTS PARTNER, the biggest entertainment company. He is family-oriented, with a wife and three daughters. He is coerced into a special mission to disrupt the idol group BERYL.
• Bernard – Male. New recruit in the IAF. Brown hair, average build. Cautious and thoughtful, with a strong desire to support Aqua-sama and his followers. Has three daughters: Beatrice, Leticia, and Serafina. His relationship with Ethan is that of a subordinate and superior.
• Ken – Male. A rehabilitated man working in the mine. The fiancé of Akiyama Sachiko, the organizer of the party or one of the protagonist’s (Aqua’s) mother’s students (ikebana) appeared in Volume 2 Chapter 12. However, their engagement is not yet officially recognized, as the necessary documents have not been signed by all parties involved. Ken-kun behaves inappropriately during the event, attempting to flirt with Kanon and later becoming aggressive, even wielding a replica sword. His actions cause a disturbance, and he is eventually subdued and removed by the security team.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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