Chapter 122: Sherry
"I want to see my sister. Can you help me?"
"Why should I help you? We're not exactly close. Your personal charm isn't enough for me to help you unconditionally. You can't compare to Vermouth in looks, you can't compare to your sister in value, and I won't even mention Shuichi Akai's questionable taste.
"Gin told me to keep a close eye on you, so you'd better not do anything unnecessary to cause me trouble, or you know what will happen."
Miyano Akemi was truly lacking in every department—good for nothing, constantly causing problems for Gin, and always demanding to see her sister.
Even Natsukawa couldn't stand it.
Growing up in the Organization since childhood, now in her mid-twenties, and still just a low-level member barely making ends meet as a bank clerk—it showed just how mediocre her abilities were.
"But Gin clearly said that after this mission is over, he'll let my sister and me go. If that's the case, why won't he let us see each other now?"
Miyano Akemi's words were filled with worry.
Could Gin have already dealt with her sister? And then, after she completed this robbery, would she be eliminated too? The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
If Natsukawa had known what she was thinking, he would have been speechless.
"Girl, you'd better face reality. People's values are different.
"It's precisely because you want to take Sherry away that she needs to work overtime now. Gin is probably trying to squeeze every last drop of productivity out of her before you leave."
"Is... is that so?" Miyano Akemi was somewhat skeptical.
This explanation seemed a bit far-fetched. The Gin that Tequila described sounded like the president of some exploitative black company.
However, it wasn't entirely implausible.
But wait—Shiho had clearly said during their last meeting that the research was extremely difficult, that this project was beyond anyone's imagination, and even with all the research materials their parents had left behind, the final product was still far from complete.
"Fine, I'll call Sherry. You can hear her voice and confirm she's okay. But you can only listen, not speak. Otherwise, you'll never see your sister again."
Clearly, a phone call would put Miyano Akemi at ease more than empty words ever could.
Natsukawa's sharp words stemmed from his frustration toward Miyano Akemi for being so naive—being used by that scumbag Akai while still thinking fondly of him.
Their parents had died because of the Organization, and both sisters had been subjected to semi-house arrest and training ever since.
Shiho could be said to be the most tragic character among the main cast. He should help her as much as possible—after all, Natsukawa considered himself a decent person.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Tequila."
Miyano Akemi stood up excitedly, her face beaming with joy. Even if they couldn't meet in person, a phone call to confirm Shiho's safety would be enough to let her sleep soundly tonight.
Natsukawa pulled out his phone and found the number for Sherry's research lab.
After obtaining her file, he'd saved both sisters' contact information.
Ring ring ring.
The call was connecting.
Miyano Akemi felt her heart pounding with anxiety.
Several seconds passed, and the call still hadn't been answered.
"Is Shiho really alright? Why isn't she answering?" Miyano Akemi's palms were sweating, and she took a large gulp of coffee to temporarily suppress her nervousness.
"Relax. She's not like you with your cushy 9-to-5 job. The research project is in a constant state of high pressure right now. It's normal that she doesn't have time to answer immediately. Just wait a few more seconds."
After a few more moments, the call was finally answered.
"Hello?"
The voice was calm and indifferent, exuding an air of aloofness.
Miyano Akemi's face lit up, and she reached out to grab Natsukawa's phone.
However, it was futile—she only grasped at empty air and was met with Natsukawa's cold stare.
"Remember what I just told you."
A chilling aura of threat swept over her, and Miyano Akemi shrank back, withdrawing her impulsive hand.
"It was instinct. I didn't mean to—my hand just moved on its own."
The explanation was weak and absurd; even Vodka wouldn't believe it. Miyano Akemi knew she'd overstepped, and she apologetically moved her chair back, indicating she wouldn't try anything reckless again.
Meanwhile, Sherry on the other end was clearly impatient.
"Gin? Or whoever this is—get to the point. I still need to record my live experiments. I don't have time to waste."
Her tone softened slightly toward the end, whether from exhaustion or from suddenly remembering that the caller might be Gin.
Either way, she waited several more seconds before hearing a response.
"It's me. Tequila."
Natsukawa feigned seriousness, placing the phone flat on the table before continuing, "I'm with your sister, Miyano Akemi, right now. She seems a little worried about your current situation. What an enviable sisterly bond."
"Sister? Tequila, what are you trying to pull?! You're not allowed to do anything to my sister, or the drug development can go to hell!
"If my sister's safety isn't guaranteed, I won't continue developing that drug, even if it means death. You'd better think carefully about the consequences."
A loud bang came through the receiver—Sherry must have slammed her hand on the table in panic, her voice rising sharply.
Miyano Akemi was touched by her sister's fierce protectiveness, but without Tequila's permission, she didn't dare speak. At least she could hear her sister's voice now, confirming she was safe, which brought her some relief.
"I think you've misunderstood. I'm not Gin. I don't do things like tearing families apart. The reason I called you is simply because your sister hasn't heard your voice in a long time.
"Now she has. If you're busy, you can hang up."
Sherry remained silent for a long moment, clearly gritting her teeth.
That bastard Tequila—is he playing games with me?
When she finally spoke, her words dripped with threat. "I need to hear my sister's voice, or I'm going on strike. Without my involvement, the drug development will stall completely. You should know what's more important here, right?"
Having worked in the Organization for a while, she'd learned some hard lessons—sometimes being assertive was the only way forward.
"I really can't argue with you. Fine, I'll reluctantly let you speak to your sister for a few minutes."
Natsukawa pushed the phone forward, gesturing for Miyano Akemi to speak.
Akemi, who had been waiting impatiently, immediately leaned forward and asked anxiously, "Shiho, are you alright? Gin didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
"I'm fine, Sister. I'm doing well here. I'm a core member of the drug development team—Gin won't do anything to me."
Sherry's tone suddenly softened. "But what about you, Sister? Why won't Gin let us meet? Did he force you to do something difficult again?"
"It's alright, Shiho. I'm relieved as long as you're okay. He didn't threaten me—it was my own choice. Gin has promised me that once I complete this mission, he'll let us both leave the Organization. Then we'll find a peaceful place to live and never be separated again."
"Let us leave the Organization? That's..."
Sherry's voice trailed off, uncertainty clear in her tone.
[End of Chapter 122]
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