[Maid Cafe 6]

After receiving advice from the owner of his part-time job, Nishino went to Igarashi's house. 

Unfortunately, she was not at home. The front door was locked and there was no response when he rang the intercom. He tried to look inside from the balcony, but the curtains were closed and he could not see what was going on inside. 

To the casual observer, he looks completely suspicious. In the pocket of his pants, his phone suddenly shakes. It's a sign that he's received a message from a social app. 

He quickly unlocks the screen and displays the text he has received. 

It was from the person he was looking for. 

Is the self-proclaimed saba saba girl. 

"........"

What's more, what the Futsumen saw was more than he could have imagined.

"Help, Global Assist Law......"

The text was cut off in the middle, and only one message was sent.

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This is a crisis.

"... I see." 

He mumbled to no one in particular and squeezed the phone. 

It was clear that the person was in a critical situation. 

His attention was drawn to the proper nouns in the message.

A quick search on the device revealed a lawyer's office in Tokyo that looked like it. It was in a relatively good location in the city centre. 

It was an office.

This virgin is not mature enough to sit still.

Nishino, who had left Igarashi's apartment, hurried there by taxi. 

He considered replying to her at the time, but decided against it, considering that the sound and vibration of the message might be detrimental to her. Feeling sorry for himself, he hurried to the lawyer's office mentioned in the message. 

By coincidence, a few minutes earlier, Rose and Gabriella had also picked up a taxi at the same place to go to the office. They are, after all, driving together on the same road. The distance in a straight line is a few kilometres. 

They spend some time in the back of the car. 

They arrived at the lawyer's office in question.

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A quick check of the website in the car showed that it was a medium-sized firm with several lawyers on staff. The office seemed to be of a reasonable size, occupying a floor of about 50 to 60 square meters in a beautiful, new building. 

As soon as he got out of the taxi, he saw the sign of the office on the wall of the building.

" ... Here?"

The main entrance was the same for all floors, and people could come and go as they pleased. From time to time, he could see people who looked like businessmen without suits coming and going. He was wearing a school uniform, which made him look conspicuous in the office area. 

His destination was the third floor. He headed for the lift to the entrance. 

Rose and Gabriella were surprised by his appearance. 

They were sitting by the window of a coffee shop not far from the building, watching the same place. They hadn't imagined that [normal] would show up at their door. Why is Nishino-kun showing up? was the question that came to Rose's mind as she resented Igarashi. 

"What are you going to do? Sister "

"...... We'll see what happens."

She mumbles a few words and begins to play with the phone in her hand. 

The screen shows a restaurant review site. A number of restaurants are rated on a five-point scale. In addition to searching for the name of the coffee shop she is currently using, Rose also checked the characteristics and related articles listed on the site. 

 

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After checking the situation, Gabu-chan had a question. 

 "What are you up to, sister?"

"I'm looking for an excuse. You should be looking at the building." 

"...... I see, I see."

While they were busy, the Futsumen disappeared into the building where the law firm was housed. It was difficult for them to see his movements. They could only watch the comings and goings. 

After a while. After a few minutes or so, Nishino reappeared. 

He walks out of the building, past the entrance, past the front door. There was no one else next to him. He is alone, just as he was when he appeared. The expression on his face was unsettled, and he looked distressed, even more so than usual. 

"I'm going." 

With his reappearance, Rose got up.

Gabu-chan raises a question again. 

"Are you sure about that woman? That's not what we originally planned."

"If he came out alone, she must not be there. And the expression on his face, is disturbing. If I don't talk to him at this time, I won't be able to think of a good way to talk to him, and I'll join him under false pretences."

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"Did you find an excuse?"

"Yes, everything is fine. You'll have to talk to me."

"All right."

The girls paid quickly and followed Nishino.

As they left the coffee shop, they looked down the street and saw the Futsumen looking for a taxi just before a nearby intersection, where the guardrail was broken.

They called out to him from behind. 

"Oh, maybe Nishino-kun ? " 

Hearing a familiar voice, he turned to look at the pavement. Naturally, he sees Rose and Gabriella approaching. 

" ... You guys" 

"What a coincidence to meet you here." 

"You aren't actually playing me, are you?"

The Futsumen expression becomes more stern. 

To this Rose replies with a smile. 

"We were enjoying a cup of tea in a coffee shop just down the road."

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"A coffee shop? Just the two of you?"

"You said before? Can't you get along a little more ?" 

"......." 

"It's a popular place among young office workers and businessmen, if you haven't heard of it. It's famous for its tea and cheesecake. I don't know what she's thinking when she orders a coffee."

"It's my choice what I drink. It's none of my sister's business." 

Rose took out a receipt from the wallet in hand, hold out to Nishino. I just got it from a clerk. The time stamp on it was, as she said, a few minutes before the current time. The content of the order is exactly as she said. 

"It's very typical of you that you don't keep up with what's going on in the world. It's important to have a wide range of topics to talk about with the opposite sex. You should take a little more care to stay informed on a regular basis."

"...... I see." 

"What are you doing in an office block like this, anyway?" 

Rose continues, unperturbed by the suspicious look in Nishino's eyes. 

It was a very dignified way to behave. 

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" Is this a job? Then I won't ask too many questions." 

"......." 

She asks, but then quickly steps back. 

The only words that came out of her mouth were the two words "work". 

Looking at her words and actions, Nishino decided to believe her. 

"Do you remember a girl named Igarashi from your part-time job?" 

"She was a bit of a strange girl, with a very sassy attitude. I remember her, but what's wrong with her? You're not going to tell me that you asked her out on a date and she turned you down, are you?"

"She's been kidnapped by someone. I'm trying to track her down. "

"...... That's not very nice either."

The response was more than Rose and Gabriella had expected. They had no idea that their target had already been dealt with. At the same time, they were searching through their target's home and were shocked. If any trace of them were to be found, it would be a disaster. 

"If you know anything, even the most trivial information, please let me know." 

"Yeah .... " 

Rose looks at Nishino with a serious expression on her face and ponders. 

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It was easy for her to imagine that the virgin in front of her had been seduced by a woman at work and had gotten himself into trouble. Even Gabu noticed it immediately. So it was the perfect opportunity to prevent him from falling in love and at the same time sell him a favor. 

"I don't have the information, but I can help you find someone who does!" 

" ...... You sure?"

"You work together, right? Now that you know, you can't just leave her out there. She works most of the night shifts, and I'm sure the owner will have a hard time filling in the gaps."

Rose tries his best to speak in a friendly manner. 

She earns Nishino's points here and there. 

Spoil, spoil, spoil. 

That's her current stance on the Futsumen. 

"I'm sorry. That's very nice of you to say." 

"But how did you know she'd been kidnapped? You weren't stalking her, were you?"

"I received a message." 

Nishino took a phone out of his pocket and held it out to them, showing them the exchange with the self-proclaimed saba saba girl. There was only one sentence on it, a message begging for help and the name of the law firm

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Looking at their talk history, which did not show any previous or subsequent communication, Rose understood that their relationship had not progressed that far. She was inwardly relieved, but outwardly her cheeks tightened in response. 

"Is the office you received a message about around here?" 

"I already checked, but I couldn't find any clues." 

"You've already checked? How did he get into the office during the day?" 

"It's not impossible, if you just look around the room." 

"Oh..... "

In the meantime, Rose has shared the information with Nishino through a mixture of bland lies. Gabu-chan, too, is in the position of an accomplice this time and does not try to tell on him.

"I think I'll head for another guess now."

"Where is it?" 

"Town Finance. Do you know it? "

"No, I've never heard of it."

"Then why don't you just follow me?"

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With a short mutter, Nishino's attention is once again drawn to the taxi on the street. 

The gold and silver Lolita decides to submit to his wishes. 

◇ ◆ ◇

After meeting up with Rose and Gabriella, Nishino headed to the place in question. 

It's one of those places where self-proclaimed saba saba girl people borrow money. It was a sudden thought that occurred to Nishino, based on the methods confirmed by Ohno in the past. The relationship with the law firm could not be investigated. However, he was sure that this case was related to her debt. 

So, he decided to visit each of the possible shops. 

The first of these was Town Finance. 

"Do you remember the name Igarashi Natsuki?" 

The taxi ride took about ten minutes. He walked up to the counter and asked the woman sitting at the counter, who was dressed in a suit. 

Rose and Gabriella stood behind him. 

"...... Who are you?"

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"I need to speak to someone higher up. Tell him Ohno sent me." 

It was a man in a school uniform who spoke to her with a pompous look on his face. 

The receptionist looked at him like, "What the hell is this guy? However, he refrained from further refusals when he mentioned the keyword "Ono". She had been told by her boss a few days earlier to report any mention of the name immediately. 

With an irritated feeling in her heart, she left her seat and headed for the back office. 

Nishino and his colleagues stood at the counter and watched her go. 

A few moments later, a man in a suit appeared with her. He looked to be in his mid-forties. He was a man of medium height, with dark hair parted into seven-thirds and black-rimmed glasses. 

"Are you Ohno-san's messengers?"

Confusion is on the man's face. He stares at Nishino and his friends over the counter and tilts his head. It is likely that he has come here with an understanding of Ohno's true identity. This is why the fact that the person claiming to be the messenger was a high school student wearing a school uniform was so questionable. 

"Ask him yourself."

" ... Let's move the place for the time being." 

The man in the suit replied shortly and looked right next to him. 

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There is a receptionist there. 

"Hayashida-san, please take these children into the drawing room." 

"Eh ? But ... " 

"I asked for it, didn't I?" 

" ... Yes." 

Her face tightened in surprise, but she nodded obediently in response. 

◇ ◆ ◇

We move to a reception room in the same shop, where Nishino comes face to face with a man in a suit. 

On a set of sofas facing each other, in addition to the two men on one side, Rose and Gabriella are seated. As usual, they are arranged around Nishino. The man in the suit sits alone across a low table from the three of them. 

"What can a child like you do for us?"

" Are you Masayuki Sato ? " 

" ... Yes, that's right." 

Recalling the business card he had seen from Ohno, Nishino asked.

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He nodded his head in agreement. At the same time, his cheeks grew a little tighter. He didn't have any employee card or name tag on him. He could not give his real name, unless he had been told beforehand. This makes Nishino's words all the more credible.

"Do you know a woman called Igarashi Natsuki? " 

" ... Who ? " 

"Do you remember the name Global Assist Law Firm? "

"What kind of relationship does it have with us ?"  

"It's a good thing you're not hiding anything.."

"I was told that you are Ohno-san errand boy, but are you really his errand boy? No. Do you have a proper understanding of what it means to be his messenger?"

"Masayuki Sato is forty-six years old. He currently lives in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. He lives in a house with his wife, who is the same age as him, and their daughter, who started junior high school in the spring of this year. His hobby is going to coffee shops to meet people. This may be the reason why he goes to the ward to get tested for STDs."

"........"

After Nishino's words, the man's face showed a real change. 

His eyes widened and his mouth twitched. 

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The Futsumen gave personal details of the man in the suit, whom he had asked Marquis to investigate beforehand. There was nothing suspicious about him, he said, after a thorough investigation. 

"Are you trying to blackmail me? " 

"You're the one who's blackmailing me, aren't you?"

"What are you talking about?"

Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure and spoke back. 

The two sides were talking at cross-purposes. 

So Nishino decided to take a step forward.

"The woman whose name I have just given you has been kidnapped. We're looking for her." 

"I don't know her. Is she a friend of yours? " 

"Sort of." 

"I'm sorry to hear that. But we don't know her."

"Really?"

" It's true."

Nishino's words exploded again and again. The two Lolitas listen in silence. The man in the suit, for his part, has a tense expression on his face as he realises that the boy in front of him is not worthy of his looks. 

159

As a result, he's a Futsumen who can do whatever he wants.

"Then I'd like to ask you for one." 

"...... How can I help you?" 

"If you ever hear the name, please contact us at this number. We are willing to make concessions on the land and building. However, if you give false information or betray our intentions and touch her, we will not tolerate it." 

A piece of paper the size of a business card was presented on the low table by Nishino's hand. On it was the number of a phone he had used in someone else's name. It was a Tobashi phone, purchased via Marquis. It was handwritten and contained only a number, no name or affiliation. 

"That's all we need to talk about." 

"I understand." 

The man looked at the number given to him and gave a small nod. 

Nishino sat up from the sofa. 

As he watched, the man continued to blurt out words.

"But don't forget."

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"...... What is it?" 

"We are only asserting our legitimate rights. In fact, we've made a lot of concessions in our negotiations. If we hadn't, we would have contacted the police immediately and taken the appropriate action."

" I understand that."

"Now, please give my regards to Ohno-san."

"Yes, I understand."

After a short reply from the man, Nishino left the reception room. Rose and Gabriella followed him out of the room without raising their voices. 

◇ ◆ ◇

After leaving the store, the three people stand beside the road and exchange words while looking for a taxi. 

"You've been talking a lot of money. Is that a good thing?"

"The life of my colleague is worth a lot. Worst case scenario, the land and building can be paid for. Besides, if the other party has kidnapped her, we can take her out on the same ground. Even the Maquis would be able to do something to back that up." 

" What if they're not involved?"

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"Rather, it's likely. But if you hang the bait in front of you, there should be some reaction. It gives you direction rather than moving around badly. "

"Oh, you're using your head a lot more than I thought." 

"Of course." 

"I thought the only way to do that was to go head-on into it." 

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" 

"No. I'm complimenting you." 

"Then why don't you be more honest about it?"

All the taxis that pass by are full of customers and show no sign of stopping. In the meantime, Nishino and Rose exchange a few words with each other. They are surrounded by the glances of passers-by as they pass by. In an area lined with office buildings, it is unusual to see them in school uniforms. In addition, Rose and Gabriella's appearance also helped to attract attention. The majority of them were businessmen and office ladies in suits. There was also a large crowd on the street, as it was the time of the day when the company was leaving.

"You're so cool, Nishino. " 

"...... I can't believe it."  

"Oh my god, I did exactly what you said."

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As for Rose, she's telling the truth. But unfortunately, the man in front of her can't understand a word of it. However, she doesn't think that she will. It's not that she doesn't want to be heard, it's just that she wants to be able to say what's on her mind and get it off her chest. 

"So, what's next?" 

Nishino and Rose exchange a few words in an indifferent manner. As if to interrupt this, Gabu-chan raised her voice. 

"I'm going to the next one." 

"Are you still guessing ? " 

"There are several stores she borrowed money from."

He recalled the name of the shop, which he had heard from the person himself in the break area of his place of work yesterday. Pulling out a phone from the pocket of his pants, Nishino looked up the address. He found several addresses within a short distance of each other. 

"Could it be that she is a multiple debtor? " 

"At that age, she's in debt, she's a bad girl."

The Lolitas muttered to themselves.

Shortly afterwards, a taxi pulled up underneath them. 

Immediately the back door is opened. 

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"Everyone has their own situation. If I had time to look into it, I'd put it towards a search. " 

"I know. I'll stay with you until the end." 

"...... Appreciate it." 

"Oh, wait a minute. I'm coming with you! Please don't leave me!"

Seeing that the door was open, they moved their feet. Nishino was the first to move, and Rose and Gabriella competed with each other to get in. This put the three of them side by side in the back seat. It was a rather cramped scene. 

The winner, by the way, was Gabu-chan. 

She was a little nervous as she stood side by side with Nishino. 

Rose body had been hardened into something invisible by her ability, stood rigidly in front of the door, unable to take a step. She could only stare at Gabriella as she sat comfortably next to Nishino. 

"The destination is ......" 

The driver was told his destination by the Futsumen. 

For the next few moments, the three of them followed the footsteps of the self-proclaimed saba saba girl, just as they had done in Town Finance. However, no matter how many shops they visited, they were unable to find any information relating to her.  

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Some of the shops were also related to Ohno, and he was asked to give details about Igarashi's debt situation and personal information. However, this was not related to the message that Nishino received from her. 

During the move, he also contacted Marquis to check on the law firm in question. However, the report returned after a short wait was only a bland reply to the effect that it was a legitimate firm. He said he would need a few more days to get more information. 

And so it was for a while, moving around the city at night. 

All the guesses were wrong, and Nishino and his friends had to go home without any results. 

In the past, Marquis's information and Nishino's activities on the ground had often helped to solve problems around him. This time, however, things were not going so well. The search for the self-proclaimed saba saba girl is finally showing signs of trouble. 

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