Kurumi Tokisaki's purpose here was simple.
Among Yokohama's three major ability organizations—the Special Division for Unusual Powers, the Armed Detective Agency, and the Port Mafia—only the Port Mafia truly suited her.
And so, she had come.
But she couldn't just say that outright.
Why?
Imagine this scenario.
You're a mafia boss, harboring dark secrets, when suddenly, a stranger waltzes in and casually drops your biggest, most dangerous truth right in your lap.
You ask why she's here, and she says, Oh, I just want to contribute to your organization.
Would you believe her?
Of course not.
Anyone's first thought would be—This bitch is definitely scheming something. Letting her in would be nothing but trouble.
So, Kurumi couldn't just tell Mori Ōgai her real intentions.
A proper lady had to maintain some decorum, after all.
Even in the original story, when she first met Shido Itsuka, she didn't just blurt out 'I want to devour you' right away, did she? She at least played the role of a transfer student to get close to him first.
If you wanted something from someone without raising suspicion, the golden rule was simple—never reveal what you truly desire. Instead, bury it beneath layers of other wishes.
Like cooking the books—flood the ledger with endless, meaningless data, all to hide that one critical entry.
Faced with Mori's questioning, Kurumi's crimson lips parted, and she delivered her carefully crafted lie.
"I want the Port Mafia to provide me with identification documents, any other necessary paperwork for this country, and a substantial amount of cash."
"Oh?" Mori's interest piqued slightly. "Sounds like you've only just arrived in this country—and definitely not through legal means. Are you a foreign ability user?"
"You could say that." Kurumi replied smoothly. "Due to… certain circumstances, I had to leave my homeland and start anew in a foreign land. That's why I need the Port Mafia's assistance."
"Of course, that's no trouble at all. A trivial matter for us."
Mori rummaged through his desk drawer before pulling out a form resembling a résumé and sliding it toward her. "I'll have our people embedded in the government arrange a new identity for you. For now, just fill in whatever basic information you're comfortable sharing. I assume you'd prefer to choose your own name?"
Kurumi took the form and began filling it out.
Most of the personal details? She wrote them as usual.
But things like her age? Eternal sixteen-year-old, of course. Whether Mori believed it or not wasn't her problem.
Once done, she handed the form back.
"Well then, Miss Tokisaki." Mori skimmed the details. "Come back tomorrow morning to collect your new identity. Our specialists will handle the rest—background, history, all of it. As for the cash… will ten million yen suffice?"
"More than enough. Your generosity is appreciated."
"Now then, I've helped you. In return, I hope you'll keep certain… secrets to yourself." Mori's tone was light, but his gaze wasn't. "If certain people in the organization catch wind of things they shouldn't, it would be quite the headache for me."
The Port Mafia was vast, its power fragmented—naturally, factions existed.
Before Mori became boss, the faction loyal to the previous boss had been the most unruly.
A private doctor taking over the Port Mafia? Unthinkable.
It was like an emperor, on his deathbed, bypassing both the crown prince and the general to hand the throne to his court physician.
At first, most members had clamored to overthrow this upstart doctor—until they realized his cunning and ruthlessness far surpassed their own.
With the help of his allies within the organization and his prized subordinate, Dazai Osamu, Mori swiftly consolidated power, becoming the undisputed boss.
But even now, dissent simmered beneath the surface.
The opposition hadn't vanished—they'd merely gone underground, biding their time.
If word got out that Mori had assassinated the previous boss and forged his will? The old faction would rise again, seizing the chance to reclaim the throne.
Mori didn't think they'd succeed.
But even if they failed, the damage to the organization would be severe.
In these turbulent times, the Port Mafia couldn't afford another internal power struggle.
"I'm a woman who repays kindness with kindness, Mori-san. Since you've helped me, I won't betray that goodwill." Kurumi smiled. "Your little secret is safe with me."
"Much appreciated."
"But as for other secrets… well, I can't make any promises."
"Oh?" Mori's eyes narrowed. "And what does that mean?"
"Mori-san, as you can see, I've come here for a fresh start. Ten million yen is generous, but what I truly desire is… stable, long-term employment." Her voice was calm, almost teasing. "So, if I were to join an organization opposed to the Port Mafia—if I were to become your enemy—well, to earn their trust, I might have to share a few… unsavory truths about your operations."
Mori's brow furrowed.
He understood her logic.
This exchange had been a simple transaction—Mori provided identity and cash; Kurumi kept quiet about the previous boss's death.
But the secrets she held weren't limited to just that.
The worst part? Mori had no idea how much she actually knew.
Some things, if leaked, could cripple even the Port Mafia.
'Should I kill her?'
The thought flickered in Mori's mind—and was swiftly crushed.
Though they'd spoken for less than ten minutes, one thing was clear—this woman wasn't afraid of the Port Mafia. Walking into their stronghold alone meant she had an escape plan.
And the fact that she'd infiltrated the boss's headquarters undetected? That alone spoke volumes about her abilities.
So far, she'd displayed multiple powers—melding into shadows, memory extraction, weapon summoning. Even those flintlock pistols of hers were clearly no ordinary firearms.
Without absolute certainty of success, picking a fight with her would be foolish.
Especially when Mori knew nothing about her. Even for a schemer like him, she was an enigma with no obvious weaknesses to exploit.
But even if he couldn't make her an enemy, he also couldn't let her waltz around rival organizations, spilling Port Mafia secrets like confetti.
She was a walking time bomb—unpredictable, dangerous, and infuriatingly elusive.
A massive headache.
And yet… Mori had no leverage to stop her.
Kurumi Tokisaki was too unknown, too mysterious.
He had no clue what she truly wanted.
'Wait…'
Then, like lightning, it struck him.
'Maybe… I do know what she's after.'
--+--
T/N: Nah you don't