A Deal with Ango

"The Book?"

Sakaguchi Ango's expression became even more solemn.

"How do you know... about the existence of 'The Book'?" Ango asked in a deep voice, "This should be a top secret known only to a few."

"Well... Dazai Osamu told me."

Li Nai shifted the blame onto Dazai without any psychological burden.

But this reaction... It seemed that the thing called "The Book" was indeed currently in the Special Ability Department.

As long as this point was confirmed, things would be easy.

Li Nai's eyes lit up.

The new product [Book Page (Fake)], he could unlock it immediately!

"Dazai, is it..." Ango frowned, "And the Port Mafia... what on earth do they want to do..."

Could this be the start of a new round of wits between the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia?

But even so, blatantly utilizing official forces was not like Mori Ogai's style.

After all, the Special Ability Department was no soft target to be pushed around. If their interests were harmed, they would certainly make things difficult for the Port Mafia as well.

Did he have some sort of confidence—a confidence that made it impossible for the Special Ability Department to ignore, forcing them to drag the government forces into the water?

And the central figure of this vortex—this shopkeeper whose name had never been heard before, what secret was he hiding?

Or was this shopkeeper just an innocent pawn caught in the struggle between the two sides...

"Port Mafia?" Li Nai asked curiously, "So they were really the ones who reported me?"

Ango snapped out of his thoughts, looking at the youth before him who had simple, seemingly ignorant eyes. For a moment, he found it a bit hard to speak.

"This... I cannot tell you." Ango used the action of pushing up his glasses to avoid the other's gaze, "But rest assured, everything follows the facts. We will not intentionally fabricate charges."

Li Nai keenly caught the subtle change in Ango's emotions, blinking with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Mr. Ango is a reliable, good person." Li Nai said, "Then I... am relieved."

Just as Ango was about to speak, a hurried report came from outside: "Chief, the test results are out!"

"Let me see."

Normally, places that had stored ability items would leave distinct abnormal traces—but this experience only existed in files; Ango had never personally verified it.

After all, unregistered ability items were extremely rare. In the current case files, there were only a few cases. It was truly difficult for the Port Mafia to dig up this regulation.

Ango took the report.

Written clearly in black and white: "No abnormal traces detected."

Seeing this result, Ango was not surprised, and he became even more certain of his previous speculation.

—This poor youth was indeed a sacrificial lamb in the power struggle.

If it were a normal inspection, they could actually leave at this point.

But for some reason, looking at the almost unchanging bright smile on the youth's face, a vague sense of unease rose in Ango's heart.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li Nai." Ango hesitated for a moment but still spoke, "I feel it's better to be a bit cautious... Could you let me look over all the items you are currently selling?"

"Eh?" Li Nai blinked, "Haven't we finished the inspection?"

"...Please. I believe a supplementary inspection of the goods is also necessary."

The guilt in Ango's heart deepened. He had clearly sworn to guarantee earlier, but now he was saying this. Didn't it make him look like he was looking for trouble?

"Alright then..." The youth looked a bit disappointed, sighing with difficulty, "But there are business secrets of mine here. It's fine for Mr. Ango to look alone, but with so many people..."

Ango immediately told the people beside him: "Wait for me outside, I'll be right out."

Li Nai showed a warm smile.

"I knew Mr. Ango was a good person."

He turned and swept past the shelves, his speed so fast that Ango only saw a blur. In the blink of an eye, Li Nai was already holding two items in his hands, placing them solemnly on the counter.

It was a roll of soft, pure white bandages, and a bright red scarf.

"Many people at this time would only casually take out some miscellaneous items to deceive and get it over with." Li Nai said in a serious tone, "But I am different. I trust Mr. Ango."

Li Nai looked straight into Ango's eyes, swearing.

"This is the entirety of the goods currently on sale in the shop, absolutely nothing hidden."

Except for those already sold, not yet unlocked, and inventory in other worlds... then indeed, it was the entirety of the goods "currently on sale." This was absolutely a hundred percent true!

Facing Li Nai's sincere gaze, Ango's heart skipped a beat, his guilt deepening.

—This overly young shopkeeper was indeed a simple, good person.

But he couldn't fail this trust, after all, this was for work...

Although Ango was ninety percent certain in his heart, to be safe, he still prepared to use "Discourse on Decadence" to read the memories left on the items, as a concluding report to send to his superiors.

In Li Nai's eyes, Ango only hummed, almost avoiding his gaze, focusing on the goods in front of him.

Li Nai curled his lips into a smile.

The bandages looked very ordinary; the thing that truly caught Ango's attention was the bright red scarf that looked as if it were soaked in blood.

Looking at this scarf, Ango always had a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

The red color pierced through his lenses, reflecting in Ango's eyes. He subconsciously reached his hand toward that red streak—

Then he was blocked by a fair hand.

Ango was startled, and then he heard the youth's pleasant voice ring out, seemingly laced with a bit of a smile, though upon closer listening, it seemed like an illusion.

"Customer." Li Nai said, "If you are not sure about buying, the goods in the shop are forbidden to be touched casually."

"Ah, oh, sorry, I did it unconsciously..."

Ango paused for a moment and then asked: "How much is it?"

Treating it as a purchase to comfort his aching conscience, the price probably wouldn't be too high—

"3,000 Yen." Li Nai said with a smile.

"What?!"

Ango gasped, almost thinking there was something wrong with his ears.

Although it wasn't to the point of being unaffordable, this price was truly excessive. Who would buy this kind of thing!

"...Actually, this is also a necessary investigation." Ango said solemnly, "Just a little touch, please."

The youth in front of him showed a difficult expression.

"Customer, I have already made many concessions for you." Li Nai said slowly, "The test shows no problems, and my goods do not have abilities—you can confirm this point with Dazai. Why do you still want me to make an exception?"

Ango's heart sank. Clearly standing amidst a sweet fragrance, he felt his stomach being dragged down by guilt.

"...I'm sorry, but I must be responsible for my work."

Li Nai narrowed his eyes at Ango, who had a solemn expression, and suddenly chuckled.

"Forget it, who told me to be a good person. My motto in life has always been 'convenience for others, convenience for myself'."

Just as Ango looked up in surprise, a smile appeared in Li Nai's deep black eyes.

"As long as you... agree to one condition of mine."

"What condition?" Ango asked, but in his heart, he was already prepared to be forced by Li Nai to buy another item at an exorbitant price.

After all, the shopkeeper was good in every way, but this pricing... was truly black-hearted...

However, contrary to Ango's expectations, Li Nai did not do so.

"I see that you, customer, seem to have a bit of trouble with money." Li Nai proposed, "How about consigning something of value on your person to my shop? What do you think?"