c41-c60 · 045-ch45

Chapter 45: At Feather Company

The president's office at Feather Company was located at the top of the building. Uwa had been gazing out the window at the sight of the city lights brilliantly illuminating the dark sky, and she stood up the moment the office door opened as if she'd been waiting.

"Well, well! Welcome back, Stained Hawk!"

The ones who entered were four men and women. Unlike yesterday, when they wore their exploration gear haphazardly, today all four were dressed in suits like proper company employees. Seeing their appearance and their expressions, Uwa smiled inwardly, thinking everything had gone according to plan.

"My, my, I've already heard how things turned out. What a disaster, that man being so much stronger than expected. For you, our company's pride and joy A-rank party, to be unable to defeat him!"

"...Please, enough with that act. We heard that you know Shibasaki-san, Uwa-san."

Anarchy answered, fed up with Uwa's deliberate way of speaking. Hearing this, Uwa sat down on her chair looking bored.

"You sent us to Shinjuku to make us fight Shibasaki-san, didn't you, President?"

"Hardly. I merely told them to bring me that man. I did say they could use force if he resisted, but I never imagined it would turn into an actual fight."

Uwa took a cigarette from her desk, put it in her mouth, and carefully lit it. The smoke she exhaled left a slight tobacco scent as it quickly dissipated into the room.

"...Well, if by some chance, if any of you had lost patience and tried to fight, I did expect you would certainly lose, though."

The Stained Hawk members said nothing in reply. They understood that Uwa had entrusted them with this job precisely because they were inexperienced enough to fight Shibasaki just as she had planned.

"...Shibasaki-san mentioned that he's trained your subordinates several times in the past. Is that true?"

"Hmm... Recently, yes, I did something similar with Line Bird."

The four of them trembled at the name that came out of Uwa's mouth. Line Bird was a party boasting top-class combat strength within Feather Company. They were explorers who had become famous for their combat expertise, with videos of their fighting scenes occasionally uploaded to video sites and instantly spreading. Even though they were also an A-rank party like Stained Hawk, there was a world of difference between them, and the fact that Uwa spoke of Line Bird as if they were on the same level as Stained Hawk made them realize just how unfathomable the cleaner they faced today was.

"I think I understand what you were planning, President.... Because of this incident, all of us have realized our own inadequacies. But if that's the case, couldn't you have just told us directly? Why did you do something so roundabout?"

"Well, tell me, would you have obediently followed my orders if I had? I've been hearing about your reputations as usual. Including that attitude of yours where you don't fear your superiors. Don't you think it's natural to consider that you need appropriate power and shock to make you deny the years you've built up as explorers?"

"..."

"Bitter medicine makes the best cure. That's a good saying, isn't it?"

Uwa rubbed her newly lit cigarette in the ashtray, then deliberately placed both elbows on her desk, bringing her clasped hands to her mouth. The four of them standing before her felt the atmosphere change.

"So then, what business do you have here? As I said earlier, the reports are already finished."

A voice more serious and mechanical than usual. The Stained Hawk members felt crushed, but their leader, Anarchy, stepped forward.

"...We, Stained Hawk, are disbanding as of today, and all four of us would like to resign from Feather Company."

Saying this, he bowed his head, and the envelope he held out had the words "resignation letter" written on it. Following Anarchy's lead, the other three took the same posture.

Uwa, on the other hand, didn't look particularly surprised and calmly asked them their reasons.

"Hmm, and why is that?"

"After fighting Shibasaki-san, we saw the path we need to take for our purpose. As explorers, we want to challenge uncharted territories. To do that, we want to become stronger as a party of four. We know Feather Company has treated us well until now.... Even so, if we stay here, we'll have to do unnecessary things too."

"Do you hate the idol work that much?"

"No, well... yes, I suppose. We did it as we were told, but wearing glittery outfits and appearing before many people doesn't suit our nature. We really want to spend as much time as possible in dungeons."

The other three didn't interject any objections to Anarchy's words. Uwa realized they all shared the same opinion, and rather than the conclusion itself, she found herself thinking about the process that had led them there. Those four, who until recently had barely maintained the form of a party, were now moving like a single organism. Uwa felt that alone was enough of an achievement.

That's why there was something she had to tell them. Uwa let out a small breath.

"How naive. You're not seeing reality."

Hearing this, Anarchy looked up as if he'd bitten into something bitter. Uwa correctly understood their feelings. When they said they were disbanding Stained Hawk, they probably meant they wanted to cast off the name they'd borrowed from Feather Company and start over from scratch as just the four of them.

But just as these four had a mission as explorers, Uwa also had a mission as a business owner.

"I don't know about you four, but as you know, Feather Company has been showcasing Stained Hawk as advertising pillars in various media. As a result, you've now established yourselves as well-known famous explorers. Do you understand how much cost was required to get to this point, and how much loss would occur if that disappeared?"

"...I think we understand."

"No, you don't. With you four carrying Feather Company's name, I can't just say 'yes' when you say you want to quit so easily. And even if you did quit, you can't just throw away everything you've built up. No matter how much you announce your resignation, the names of Feather Company and Stained Hawk will follow you like shadows. Unfortunately, even if you make that choice, you won't get the results you're hoping for."

"..."

"Well, at least, that's how it would have been until just recently, but the situation has changed."

Because Uwa said this so lightly, completely unlike her tone until now, the Stained Hawk members, who had been wearing heavy, pained expressions, now looked like they'd been bewitched by a fox. Uwa watched them with an amused expression.

"This happened today, but in a certain streamer's broadcast, your fight with a certain person was shown. And what do you know, there was footage of you being thoroughly beaten to a pulp, and that's all over the trending topics! Haha! For you losing to become a topic of conversation, this is splendidly dishonorable!"

"...Are you mocking us?"

"But thanks to this stream, two good things happened. One, the impression the public has of you has changed from typical celebrities to explorers who fight in the trenches. People are saying various things, but I suppose it's the underdog effect. There is criticism, but there are also many voices supporting you. The fact that the audio was cut served us well."

"...Haah."

"And the other is that, along with that, a trend has formed where fans will accept it if you reduce your idol activities for the 'reason of becoming stronger as explorers'."

Uwa took four sheets of paper from her desk drawer and lined them up before them.

"Before you quit, I have one proposal. Feather Company wants to support you for your uncharted territory exploration. It would be difficult to quit all idol activities immediately, but I promise to gradually reduce them with the current momentum and create an environment where you can focus exclusively on being explorers as you wish."

"Boss, that means..."

"That we can do what we want to do...?"

"All good things, yes."

"But, is that really okay? Even if you do that, Feather Company won't have much benefit..."

"There are benefits."

As if scattering away slight unease, Uwa exaggeratedly spread both arms wide. She knew that charisma resided in actions one step beyond where people felt shame. Uwa posed as if she were standing center stage at a theater, raising her voice.

"Being naive is the privilege of youth. It's fine not to see reality! Those who pursue their dreams with all their might are stronger and more charming than those who see reality and make safe choices. And you have the power to seize those dreams. At least, I believe that."

Saying all this in one breath, she looked at the four of them and grinned.

"Did you think I, as a business owner, would let such a prime asset slip through my fingers?"

A single framed picture decorated the president's office, and on it was written——

'Become the fate that carries souls to their most suitable place'

——This was her mission as the founder of Feather Company, or rather, to create a better environment for explorers.

Her smile wasn't sarcastic at all; somehow, it felt filled with hope.

The four who heard Uwa's words looked at each other for a moment. Then, they reached one conclusion. They hadn't exchanged many words in the short time, but now they didn't need anything more.

"...Understood. We will withdraw these resignation letters. We look forward to your continued support of Stained Hawk."

"Good. I'm glad I could hear those words."

The four took the papers from the desk one by one. However, when his turn came, Anarchy gave Uwa a suspicious look.

"...President, did you send us to Shinjuku knowing it would come to this?"

"No, no, you're overestimating me. There's no way I could have known that person would be accompanied by someone who could stream even in the deep layer. Hahaha! As expected, when you leave these things to that person, you get results beyond imagination! Truly amazing!"

Uwa shouted in a voice where it was unclear how much was genuine. Anarchy wanted to somehow break through her current state, and suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, speaking of which, Shibasaki-san said he wanted me to tell you something."

"Oh, what is it?"

"If you want him to train your subordinates, he doesn't charge money, so at least contact him beforehand."

"Aah~... Well, I'll handle it appropriately."

"And also, he said he won't let you get away with it next time you meet."

Clank! The sound of an ashtray hitting the floor echoed in the room.

At first glance, it seemed no different from usual. But Uwa's arms, upon hearing Shibasaki's message, were trembling amusingly. Seeing this, Anarchy felt a strange sense of relief, realizing that this person was human too.

"That's all Shibasaki-san said."

"...H-haha! Is that so? Then I guess I need to avoid meeting that person as much as possible..."

"Does that mean you're running away from me?"

"I'm not running away. This is, well, a strategic avoidance. .........Huh?"

"You've got a smooth tongue, Uwa. Now I understand why a cowardly, greedy person like you became so successful."

"...Sh-sh-sh-sh-shiiii-neeeepaaaii!!!"

"Eh, Shibasaki-san?"

"Master!!"

In front of the president's office door stood a man in work clothes that didn't suit the atmosphere of the place. Seeing this, the Stained Hawk members' faces instantly brightened, while Uwa fell noisily from her chair.

"W-wait, when did you get here, Senpai? I mean, why are you here!? I didn't get any contact at all!!"

"When I said your name, they let me through."

"That's riiiiight! Past me judged that it would be scary to deal with the consequences of rudely refusing, so I decided it was better to let you through!!"

As the exaggeratedly head-holding Uwa watched, Shibasaki approached her, deliberately making his footsteps sound louder. Then, he gently tapped the huddled Uwa's shoulder.

"Aah, Uwa, it seems you wanted to see me too. That's really great. Since you tremble whenever my name comes up, I thought you hated me. But wait a minute? If you hated me, you wouldn't have forced your company's subordinates on me in the first place. Ahaha, sorry, there's no way YOU would hate ME."

"Shibasaki-san, are you angry...?"

"Somehow you seem really scary..."

From where the four of them stood, Shibasaki's expression wasn't clearly visible. But not one of them tried to peek at his face. There are things better left unknown, even out of curiosity.

"Now then, Uwa. I came here today because I have a request for you. It's a rather difficult request, but since you love me so much, you'll surely accept this favor gladly, won't you?"

"Y-yeseeess..."