ch65

Aaron Dreyfuss, the head of the Strategic Planning Department, had an office that was lavish, unlike someone else’s bleak room.

Even back then, when I delivered the warning message that wasn’t even worth calling a virus, I felt it as I fumbled through the adjacent lines. It was less like an office or a department head’s room and more like a private room, almost like his own home, fully furnished.

The overall harmony of the palace-like splendor of red, yellow, and white, too.

The liquor displayed in the showcase, the artwork hanging on the wall, too.

The king-size bed in the corner, too….

“Are you interested in that? I didn’t expect you to be the type who values physical compatibility so much?”

“Would you please… shut that mouth of yours?! Mr. Dreyfuss??”

But even such luxurious scenery that could be mistaken for a hotel suite. With this guy as the owner of the room, there was no room to enjoy it.

His pace was… quite light for his position, and he didn’t hesitate to appear on broadcasts, so. Whether he prepared this environment to entertain guests or to overwhelm them, I’d find out from now on.

“You’ve come all the way here… you don’t have to be so stiff. Miss Anastasia. Feel free to call me Aaron!”

“…Understood. Esteemed Head of the Strategic Planning Department of Paradise Corporation.”

What. Did you really expect me to obey so readily? I’m already dying of frustration because my perfect plan fell apart at the last moment.

It’s true that I decided to settle things at a favorable time, when they value and respect me highly.

…But that doesn’t mean I’m going to obediently nod at every proposal they bring up and end up with shackles on my ankles, and we’re not exactly close enough to act friendly….

“…….”

Even after receiving such a sharp response, there was no noticeable negative change in his expression.

Rather, the subtle smile he had seemed to deepen… or maybe not…?

“…So, is Mr. Dreyfuss personally handling the matter of the alimony… or the survivor’s compensation?”

Even if that’s the case, I don’t want to willingly fall for his pace on such a trivial matter, so I wish he’d just get to the point of why he called me here.

“…….”

“…So, the alimony you told me to apply for.”

“…….”

“Hey, um….”

“…….”

As the unspoken pressure intensified, a chill ran down my spine.

It wasn’t just a guess based on the atmosphere or context; his usually narrow eyes, which barely revealed his irises, were half-open, and his distinctive sanpaku eyes were almost visible.

“…Thank you for your kindness. …Aaron.”

“Kindness? Nonsense. Ahahaha!”

…Absolutely not. I’m not giving in. I’m just asserting that I made a big concession because starting a conflict from the beginning would only complicate things.

As proof, he, who had been frozen like a snake about to strike, started moving again, impressed by my cooperation, so I won’t accept any objections. …Damn it.

Still, a title is like the foundation of a relationship… even if it’s a castle I’ll tear down later, I should at least build the foundation diligently.

Aaron, who had been trying to make eye contact with me from the opposite sofa, suddenly got up and opened the door of the refrigerator on the wall.

“What would you like to drink? You must have said a lot of unnecessary things because of Mr. Weizmann, so don’t hesitate.”

He must have realized that my basic stance was refusal and rejection, so now he’s even emphasizing that I shouldn’t hold back… how can a person ignore such kindness?

Moreover, it’s a welcome drink personally offered by someone from the highest echelons of society, so it must be right to say what I really want here.

“Then I’ll have coffee. …If possible, with milk and syrup, a latte, please.”

“A caffè latte… is it?”

He didn’t expect such a relentless order, not even a Paradise product name, and I could see Aaron was flustered.

Maybe this was too detailed, but. I could be confident because I thought my drink preference wasn’t even worth considering as personal information to trade. Besides, this guy wouldn’t go bankrupt from buying me a cup of coffee.

The reason even I, who didn’t particularly enjoy coffee, was making such a request was simple.

In this world of his, or rather, pre-made coffee drinks didn’t exist.

Caffeine was more than abundant in corporate products boasting all sorts of bizarre names and flavors, but that fragrant smell wafting from the cafes that used to be every three steps on the street didn’t exist anywhere.

So, even if I couldn’t get anything else out of this, I’d at least like to satisfy my deprived inner desires.

It was a requirement based on the prejudice that even the Mega Corp executive’s personal refrigerator wouldn’t be without it, but, betraying my expectations, he closed the door he had opened.

I lamented for a moment that one of humanity’s legacies had finally gone extinct.

Aaron, who had quietly returned to his seat, opened his mouth.

“…You have more refined tastes than I expected. The caffè latte you desire will be brought to you by the staff along with the breakfast that will be prepared soon.”

…Wait, what?

I was jolted awake by the announcement that even an intimate meal had been planned.

Is he trying to get me on the hook with a cheap meal? Or is he planning to continue this uncomfortable meeting for hours?

“I wasn’t planning on staying that long….”

“First of all, I offer my sincere apologies for the difficulties Miss Anastasia has experienced due to the recklessness of our employee. I would also like to express my deepest condolences once again for the death of your sister.”

“…….”

Cutting off my urgent words, Aaron, with a serious expression, slowly lowered his head.

His head was bowed so deeply that his forehead almost touched the table, and it didn’t even twitch, as if he wouldn’t raise it without my permission.

I knew from the time of the call, when he brought up the alimony, that he had no intention of cutting off the tail, but I never dreamed that I would receive a formal apology from the person in charge one-on-one like this.

Such treatment made me wonder if they had really coldly considered the value of me as a human being….

Was my prickly response unnecessary?

“…Thank you. Aaron. I was heavy-hearted because I had to hold a funeral without a body, but Helena, my sister, who dedicated herself to the police force, will surely be happy that the executives are so saddened.”

‘Mega Corp bastards are the worst!!’

‘Neo Haven has three Mega Corp headquarters, so I’m going to dig up all their dirty secrets!’

I pushed her voice, which she had shouted in betrayal as soon as she regained her strength after treatment, into the corner of my memory.

Good things are good, just bear with it a little.

The head, which had only shown the back of its hair, came up. His expression, which had been so stiff, instantly relaxed, and he smiled brightly.

“Indeed, it’s a relief to hear you say that, as a member of the bereaved family! But, if you’re worried about the body to put in the coffin, should we send you that dissolved protein mixture? Strangely enough, there was only the amount left that would be equal to a Levy unit member whose body wasn’t identified!”

“!!”

Damn it, you know everything, don’t you?! Are you just doing this to mess with me!?!!

His skill in playing with people is truly artistic.

I did my best to suppress the scream that was trying to burst out between my body and lips, but it was unlikely that his keen eyes missed it.

But even all of that is only circumstantial evidence.

In the end, what matters is not the person who died in the system, but Anastasia Valentine and Aaron Dreyfuss, who are facing each other in this place.

“Do you know how much trouble I had because of the gift you gave me before? Oh my… ‘If you want to obtain pure gold, then show the appropriate dignity.’! I was impressed… but the whole company was in an uproar? If the chairman hadn’t liked it so much, the legal department would have contacted you separately.”

…Well, of course. Because I wrote the words that the chairman himself would say later.

It was a line that blocked the main story from progressing if the player character didn’t meet the required level when requesting support and cooperation.

Fortunately, my expectation that the person in question would be pleased and let it slide seemed to have worked.

“I’m re~ally grateful for your… leniency.”

From here on out, formalities were unnecessary.

He expressed his condolences for the tragedy at the gate while pointing out my faults, and I safely diverted a weakness that had been stabbed once.

“Anastasia Valentine. For a hacker who registered for citizenship through a broker in the wasteland not long ago, your actions have been inconsistent. If you wanted Credits, you could have worked as a mercenary or joined Paradise, but you suddenly applied to the combat police. And then you quit so quickly.”

“…Sorry, but I tend to live as I please.”

The decisions I’ve made based on things that haven’t even happened yet seem to have been quite interesting to him, sitting at the top.

I stared straight into Aaron’s fully opened sanpaku eyes, as if he wouldn’t miss even my slightest gesture.

I became calm in response to the impatience inherent in his words.

A bundle of future knowledge containing everything from the end to the conquest of this civilized society.

And differentiated abilities and skills.

I was even more afraid because I knew what lurked beneath the surface of each Mega Corp, but I also had advantages that were hard to imagine even with imagination.

I know them, but they don’t know me.

If an individual fights against a group, they will be crushed, but what if it’s a sport where only the representative players compete?

Playing a card game while looking at my hand, there was no reason to back down as long as I was careful not to overturn the board.

“Join Paradise. Miss Anastasia. Your abilities are too precious to be wasted on the streets.”

“…I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here.”

“Are you simply referring to the location? If you mean that Paradise is not an option, then I’m afraid I can no longer offer you only kind words of persuasion?”

The area near my neck suddenly felt cold.

Aaron’s pupils contracted rapidly for a moment, and I felt like I knew what he was thinking even without any harsh words. He wouldn’t let anyone do something good, especially something good for a competitor.

“Because there is a goal that can only be achieved… in Neo Haven.”

“…….”

I chose to push forward with the truth, which is a direct approach, rather than trying to deceive clumsily.

Complex gazes are exchanged.

A sigh escaped from the mouth of a powerful person who lacked nothing, at a resolution that he couldn’t understand no matter how hard he thought about it, that I would be blocked here when I had a long way to go.

I thought he had finally given up… but what’s this.

Snap—!!

With a flick of his fingers, the curtains covering the office wall are drawn back.

Aaron, who got up from the sofa, approached the wide window with a gesture to follow.

As I carefully followed behind him, the scenery that could only be seen near the top floor of the tallest building in the upper reaches of Harvest Planet was revealed before my eyes.

The rising sun was trying to swallow the city’s lights, but the pulsation of this giant steel beast showed no signs of stopping.

To think that everything below, every person, is ruled by a single corporation… it felt like my senses were becoming dull and my consciousness was fading.

“…Do you happen to know what Paradise’s motto is, and the chairman’s belief?”

Just as I thought. If Weisman resembled the Chairman’s personality, then Aaron tended to believe in the Chairman’s convictions.

‘Amass Credits until you’re sick of them, and buy real treasures with them.’

A money-grubbing paradise for spending money.

A predatory corporation that, despite its short history and inferior technology, desperately earns money to acquire real talent and limited resources that are difficult to convert into money.

“I’m not interested in what your purpose is, or the background or original identity you’ve hidden so well. Even though it’s smaller than Neo Haven, if a talent like you becomes a member of Paradise, you’ll have this vast Harvest Planet at your feet.”

“That’s…”

“Or, would you mind whispering Miss Anastasia’s goal to me alone? There’s nothing we can’t achieve with this much capital and facilities.”

Sweet temptation tickled my eardrums.

The sweet word ‘return’ pounded on my throat, begging to be let out, but I held it back.

…Separating and building strength independently might be quite good.

However, since the sky has designated Neo Haven as the starting point of the prologue, Paradise will inevitably follow, whether it wants to or not.

If I join, should I ask to be stationed at the Neo Haven branch?

A plausible future, but there clearly wouldn’t be enough time left to gain that level of trust.

“…I really appreciate the offer, but I don’t have any intention of belonging to Paradise, or anywhere else, yet.”

Having a Mega Corp as a backer was quite attractive, but I’ll put it on hold.

I could gloss over my combat police history, but if I suddenly left an official employment record, it could cause problems later when I meet with forces with strong anti-corporate tendencies.

As the last persuasion also fell through, a dangerous look began to swirl in Aaron’s eyes again.

Either friend or foe, Paradise or something else.

He could judge the world with a perfect dichotomy, so this point might be advantageous for him, with his clear identity.

I didn’t want to feel the reward of desperately digging into the security network from the moment I entered the office, but the situation didn’t leave me any choice.

This virus won’t be as merciful as before, how are you going to handle it….

“If you take some time to think alone, you’ll change your mind.”

At that critical moment, leaving only a collision, a possibility I hadn’t heard came to mind.

Is it really the best thing to do to bite back as soon as this human bares his fangs?

No, in the first place, do I even need to get caught up in that violent dichotomy? What clever force survives as long as a gray molecule?

“Does Aaron want my abilities? Or is he simply looking for a tribute to offer the Chairman?”

“……? What’s that suddenly…”

I could vividly feel his bewilderment at the unexpected topic.

If it’s the latter, there’s no room for compromise at all. But if it’s the former, maybe there’s still a way left.

Not an executive of Paradise, but a contract between Aaron Dreyfus and Anastasia Valentina. Building a purely personal cooperative relationship.

I stand with my back to the glass window, as if completely blocking the city scenery he was so proud of.

With the sunlight pouring in behind me, I felt confident, as if the world was blessing the direction I was about to take as right.

“I can never sign that damn dating contract or employment contract… but Aaron Dreyfus, aren’t you interested in a partnership contract for each other’s purposes?”

“…….”

I couldn’t see it clearly because of the backlight created by the room lights. But I loved the dazed look on his face from the unexpected blow.