Chapter 57: Silver Soul (Earth Arc)

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sasaki, are you alright?" Okakura Take looked at Sasaki and asked.

Sasaki let his hand drop gently, smiling, "I'm fine, really."

Okakura Take tapped Octopus Gin's head lightly, pretending to scold him, "You mustn't do this again, Gin."

Octopus Gin's beady eyes looked utterly aggrieved.

That curly-haired fellow, after turning into an octopus, is completely different from his human self!

After dinner, Sasaki drove Okakura Take and Octopus Gin home. Octopus Gin had eaten so much that his body had doubled in size, and he could only sit in the back seat by himself, while Okakura Take and Sasaki sat together in the front.

Even though Octopus Gin was puffed up and squeezed into the back, he kept watching the two in the front seat with his shiny black eyes.

"Miss Okakura, your octopus is really clever—it can hold its own bowl and drink soup. And it doesn’t look like any species found on Earth. We don’t have such extravagant octopuses here," Sasaki said.

Okakura Take glanced back at Octopus Gin. Indeed, that pure white body with blue spots—she’d never seen an octopus like that here.

"This octopus isn’t actually mine. I’m just looking after it for a friend," Okakura Take offered as an excuse.

"I see. If it were up to you, Miss Okakura, what kind of pet would you want?" Sasaki asked.

Okakura Take thought for a moment. "Hmm… If it were my choice, I think I’d prefer a dog."

No sooner had she spoken than two tentacles stretched out before her eyes. Okakura Take turned her head, meeting Octopus Gin's round little eyes. She could almost read the question in them: "Why wouldn’t you want to keep an octopus?"

You scoundrel, you aren’t even a genuine octopus! And do you really see yourself as a pet?

Sasaki had noticed Octopus Gin’s actions, and he chuckled. "Miss Okakura, your octopus really is fascinating. But I’m like you—I’d rather have a dog as a pet. Dogs are loyal to their masters. I don’t like fickle or spoiled animals. If it’s a pet, it ought to entertain its owner."

This man definitely has a strong need for control!

"Haha, so that’s how you see it, Sasaki. But even pets, after a long time, begin to feel like family," Okakura Take said.

"Even so, they’re not true family. When family members die, do you keep thinking of them forever? No, you only burn symbolic offerings during festivals. Pets are even more pitiable; when they die, they probably don’t even get that. Human emotions, that’s all they amount to," Sasaki said, his voice calm, his gaze equally so.

For a moment, Okakura Take felt the cold detachment of this man, a chill from deep within—a loneliness, like that of Governor Takasugi.

"It seems we differ on this, Mr. Sasaki. The dead are gone, so we must cherish those still alive even more. Human emotions are strange. They’re like saliva—when stretched, they seem about to break, but then reconnect in the next instant. Even if they snap, they can still be joined again."

"That’s how I see it," Okakura Take said.

"Haha, your metaphor is quite amusing, Miss Okakura. Emotions like saliva? Most people say thread," Sasaki replied. This elite never showed exaggerated expressions; even now, his smile was just a gentle curve of his lips and a slight downward tilt at the corners of his eyes.

He had barely finished speaking when a black, unlicensed sedan sped toward their car from another street. The light was green, so Sasaki hurriedly turned the wheel.

The tires screeched against the asphalt, an ear-splitting sound, as Sasaki drove the car against traffic, the black sedan in pursuit.

"Mr. Sasaki? Who are they after?" Okakura Take asked.

Was it him? Or her?

"No idea. I think it could be either of us. Miss Okakura, you can’t have reached your position without making enemies," Sasaki said, slamming on the brakes to evade another charging black sedan.

"Of course not. I'm sure there are plenty who hate me," Okakura Take laughed.

"Me too. Being elite, I have plenty of jealous rivals," Sasaki replied, utterly unruffled, as though being hunted was nothing unusual.

It seems being elite requires thick skin as well.

More and more black sedans gave chase, but fortunately it wasn't rush hour and traffic was sparse. Sasaki skillfully wove through the cars.

"Wow, Mr. Sasaki, your evasive driving is impressive," Okakura Take said.

"It's not my first time. The reputation of the Kenkai Squad may not match the Shinsengumi, but we’re still a thorn in the side of those anti-government terrorists," Sasaki said.

Okakura Take detected a hint of bitterness toward the Shinsengumi in that remark.

Octopus Gin in the back seat had latched onto Okakura Take, securing them both tightly to avoid being thrown around.

"Miss Okakura, I've already contacted the police headquarters. Help should arrive soon. For now, let’s race together. Only at times like these can my luxury sports car show its true speed. Elite is only visible in moments like these," Sasaki said, smiling.

"…You seem to really enjoy this thrill, Mr. Sasaki," Okakura Take said. This man was clearly more complicated than he appeared. Faced with danger, his response was excitement—the suppressed exhilaration made his grip on the steering wheel tighten, the joints and veins bulging.

"No, it’s just a bit of exercise after dinner," Sasaki replied.

Just then, a shell landed nearby. Sasaki quickly reversed and turned right to avoid it.

"Mr. Sasaki, this exercise is a bit too stimulating," Okakura Take said.

"You're right, Miss Okakura. You and your octopus should hold on tight. We're about to begin an even more thrilling after-dinner activity," Sasaki said.

"Who’d have thought that just dining with you would bring such trouble? Mr. Sasaki, perhaps we aren't suited to dining together," Okakura Take laughed.

Their car was surrounded by the black sedans. From the sedans emerged a group of kimono-clad ronin, armed with long swords, pushing forward cannons aimed at Okakura Take’s car.

"Don’t say that, Miss Okakura. This is pure coincidence. Besides, I believe with your skills, you won’t be fazed by such minor exercise, will you? Wolf Fang Goddess?"

"That nickname makes me sound like a female boss in an RPG, destined to be toppled by the protagonist. I don't like it at all. I’d prefer something grander—like Demon King of Eternal Night, Supreme Sovereign of the Netherworld."

"Miss Okakura, it seems your naming skills are stuck at middle-school level. Now, brace yourself, for I’m about to take the Demon King for a flight." Sasaki pressed a button, and their sedan soared into the sky.

"Haha, this feels great! They shouldn't be able to catch us now," Okakura Take laughed.

Seconds later, the pursuing black sedans also lifted into the air.

"…" Okakura Take.

"What? Their cars can fly too?!" Okakura Take exclaimed.

"No, only vehicles equipped by the police headquarters are officially allowed flight systems. Ordinary cars can’t have them. It seems these people have modified theirs through other means," Sasaki said.

"They’re clearly prepared. I wonder who their target really is," Okakura Take said.

"No matter who, we should flee first. I don’t want to resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. The key to handling ambushes is escape, then root out the rats hiding behind the scenes. That’s the elite way."

"Mr. Sasaki, you really do use that word 'elite' a lot."

"Because I am elite," Sasaki said, flooring the accelerator. Their car shot upward, looped in a U-turn, and sped away.

The black sedans followed, shells flying toward Okakura Take's car.

"Elizabeth, I didn’t expect there’d be fireworks tonight. Beautiful," on the street, Katsura Kotaro admired the explosions above, arms folded.

"Indeed, they're beautiful, Mr. Katsura," Elizabeth replied, holding up a wooden sign.

But for the two people and one octopus in the sky, things weren't so pleasant. Sasaki drove with rollercoaster intensity, tossing everyone inside.

Okakura Take had always suffered from motion sickness—so long as the ride was smooth it was fine, but any sudden jolt brought nausea.

"Ugh…" Okakura Take pressed her mouth tightly shut, not wanting to tumble through the sky with her own vomit. But the sick feeling rising from her throat was unstoppable.

To her surprise, before she could throw up, Octopus Gin did…

"Bleaargh――――!!" Unable to help himself, Octopus Gin sprayed a heap of unmentionable vomit onto Sasaki Isaburo.

"Huh?" Sasaki, receiving the full brunt, was utterly stunned.

"…" Okakura Take wondered if she should feel lucky the octopus hadn't vomited on her.

Octopus Gin continued retching. Okakura Take realized something was wrong—Sasaki was completely frozen, which meant their car had come to a complete halt in midair…

Okakura Take looked out the window. Ah, there were so many people on the street below—wait, they were about to fall!

Octopus, stop vomiting, please!