Chương 67: A sweet and yummy carrot cake

After pulling an all-nighter, the blinding light of the rising sun assaults my eyes, intensifying the massive headache pounding within my skull as I step out of the agency’s headquarters. The building, with its imposing structure and darkened windows, stands as a stark contrast to the vivid dawn that envelops the cityscape.

Getting grilled by the Banta for that many hours is the worst punishment I could’ve endured. Exhausted, I let out a heavy sigh, slipping my sunglasses down to shield my eyes from the unforgiving sunlight.

To the side, right by the grand entrance, a familiar silhouette leans against the wall, exuding an aura of nonchalance. “ORPHEUS, you damn traitor. Why did you let that woman come in?”

The tall, dark-skinned man takes a languid puff from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily around his sharp features. Turning slightly, he regards me with a detached, sideways gaze. “You didn’t ask me to do anything…” His voice, deep and resonant, soothes some of the edge from my throbbing pain, like a balm on an open wound.

“Isn’t it blatantly obvious? And why did you let them leave?!” I snap.

ORPHEUS tilts his face upwards, letting the sunlight bathe his skin as he squints into the vast expanse above. His dreadlocked hair gently sways with the subtle morning breeze.

“What are you looking at?” My tone is sharp, irritation evident.

“Nothing… It’s coming…” He murmurs cryptically, hoisting his guitar case onto his shoulder.

Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I retort, “Seriously, man. Is there a functioning brain in that head of yours? Some things are just *obvious*! Like, say, not letting the woman who stole my sister enter the building when my sister’s right inside!”

He exhales a sigh, heavy with an unspoken history, and offers me his half-smoked cigarette. Gratefully, I snatch it and inhale deeply, the nicotine soothing my frayed nerves.

“Stay cool, Sis. I genuinely don’t think she kidnapped her. She seemed happy, actually.”

“SHUT UP!” I exclaim, flicking the cigarette away in anger. “SHE’S MY SISTER!!”

ORPHEUS shrugs nonchalantly, the motion languid and deliberate. “That was my last smoke, Sis.”

“I’M NOT YOUR SIS!” I nearly shout, the urge to pull up my sunglasses to glare at him directly nearly overwhelming. But the memory of the searing pain from the sunlight earlier keeps me from doing so.

“You know, Sis, I have a sister too. She’s a real beauty…” He begins, a hint of pride in his tone.

“Where’s this going?” I ask, wary.

“She’s got a heart of gold and a head for business. Runs that cosy coffee shop just down the street.”

“I’m aware.”

“She’s a wizard with desserts. Especially her carrot cake.”

“Yeah, and?” My impatience is evident.

“How about we head there?” He suggests, his voice dripping with casual ease.

I raise an eyebrow, a memory flashing momentarily. We’d had a similar conversation once before, but plans had been derailed by unforeseen events. “Sure. Whatever.”

“Invite the others?” He asks, already pulling out his phone.

“Yeah, might as well.”

ORPHEUS quickly types a message into the group chat, his fingers dancing over the screen. I can’t resist the urge to sneak a peek over his shoulder:

ORPHI: Sis is pissed. Craving cake, anyone?

ASCLE-PYON: OMG, CAKE!! POGGERS!

THE CHAD HECTOR: What flavour?

ORPHI: ???? carrot cake.

ASCLE-PYON: Where at?!

THE CHAD HECTOR: Seriously, carrot in a cake?

ASCLE-PYON: Ignore him, ORPHI. He’s just uncultured.

ORPHI: ☹️ Carrot cake’s the bomb, sweet and moist.

THE CHAD HECTOR: Does it come with a side of tea?

ORPHI: Duh, it’s a coffee shop!

ASCLE-PYON: ORPHI, darling, you still didn’t give the location…

“What am I even reading? This is a damn circus,” I mutter.

ORPHEUS pulls the phone protectively to his chest, a smirk on his lips. “Sis… You could just read it on yours.”

“I’m fully aware, genius! And why did you say that I’m angry?!”

His eyes widen momentarily in feigned shock. “Wait… You aren’t pissed?”

“OF COURSE, I AM!”

“Then what’s the issue?!” He exclaims, innocently.

I slap my temples, trying to fend off another wave of frustration. The day’s already proving to be a long one.

We reach the café after a twenty-minute walk. It isn’t bustling at this hour, yet somehow ASCLEPIUS has already claimed a seat and waits for us. His silver-dyed hair, cut short, is brushed stylishly to one side, showcasing his penchant for following the latest fashion trends. Fortunately, today he’s forgone one of his eccentric get-ups in favour of our standard blue uniform.

Given ORPHEUS’s guitar case and our formal wear, outsiders might mistake us for members of a band or orchestra. The thought amuses me.

“Whassup!” ASCLEPIUS throws up a peculiar hand gesture that I scarcely recognize as a greeting. ORPHEUS mirrors it flawlessly, his face as impassive as ever. Ignoring their antics, I slide into a seat. “Is HECTOR joining us?”

“He’ll be here any minute,” ASCLEPIUS replies, his lips curved in a cat-like smile. “More importantly, SIRO-PI, how did your date go?”

“She got dumped,” ORPHEUS interjects without missing a beat.

“I wasn’t dumped! My sister killed her!”

“That’s what he meant,” ASCLEPIUS nods, grinning mischievously. “You got dumped by your sister.”

A lovely young black girl, wearing a café apron, approaches our table with a radiant, innocent smile. “It’s such a pleasure to see my brother’s coworkers!” Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t help but admire her fresh-faced beauty.

“Likewise!” ASCLEPIUS exclaims, clearly smitten.

“You must be the superior my brother often praises,” she directs a beaming smile at me. “He always speaks highly of you.”

“He’s a diligent worker,” I reply, forcing politeness.

“Sis, three carrot cakes, please.”

“And a mocha for me!” ASCLEPIUS interjects, waving his hand with childish glee.

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“I’ll take mint tea,” I mutter, trying to ignore him.

“Understood,” ORPHEUS’s sister responds, still smiling brightly. “It’s all on the house, so order whatever you’d like.”

“In that case,” ASCLEPIUS begins with a smirk, “could I also get a parfait and a Frappuccino?” ORPHEUS’s cold, inscrutable gaze pierces him, causing ASCLEPIUS to backtrack rapidly. “Just joking~~…”

As the waitress departs, I try to steer the conversation back on track. “My sister didn’t run away with anyone. She was seduced by that woman!”

ASCLEPIUS chuckles, “Aren’t you just sour she chose her over you, SIRO-PI? Maybe if you’d treated her better, she wouldn’t have left.”

In a fit of anger, I slam my fist on the table, which trembles under the force. At that precise moment, ORPHEUS’s sister returns with our order, her face a mixture of surprise and unease.

“Your drinks will be right out,” she says, hurrying away.

“Please… Respect the furniture,” ORPHEUS murmurs.

I snap back, “Tables don’t feel pain!” Shaking my head, I point a finger at ASCLEPIUS. “You don’t know how I treat my sister. What happened tonight makes zero sense.”

“Nobody here agrees. Right, ORPHI?”

“I disagree,” ORPHEUS states calmly.

“ET TU?” I’m interrupted by the café’s entrance chime. In strolls HECTOR, donning a Panama hat, perhaps to hide his balding head. His beard and long eyelashes contrast with the familiar blue uniform, giving him an air of elegance.

ASCLEPIUS waves him over, “Over here, TOTOR!”

“I saw you when I came in,” HECTOR chuckles.

ASCLEPIUS teases, “Never know with you!”

Upon noticing our desserts, HECTOR comments, “So that’s carrot cake? Looks like any other cake to me.”

“What did you expect?” ASCLEPIUS retorts.

“Something more … carroty? Can I try some?”

“Nope! Order your own,” ASCLEPIUS huffs.

Unwilling to let the argument escalate, I intercede. “Take a bite of mine.”

HECTOR doesn’t need to be told twice. He slices off a small piece, chewing thoughtfully. “It’s sweet.”

“We told you so!” ASCLEPIUS exclaims, sounding triumphant.

The waitress returns, bearing our drinks. She casts a demure look towards HECTOR, who seems completely enchanted. Removing his hat, he says, “Miss, you are as lovely as a blossoming flower. Might I have a slice of this delightful cake, and some black tea, please?”

“Of course. Just a moment,” she replies, blushing slightly before heading back to the kitchen.

“Easy there,” ASCLEPIUS snickers. “You’re old enough to be her dad!”

ORPHEUS’s gaze turns frosty once more, causing HECTOR to cringe. “Right, she’s your sister… Don’t worry, mate. I’ve sworn off dalliances with coworkers’ relatives.”

Attempting to refocus the conversation, ASCLEPIUS asks, “So, SIRO-PI, what did the Banta tell you during your overnight meeting?”

“She gave me a new assignment and…” Suddenly, the calm outside is disrupted by the aggressive patter of rain on the windows. Within minutes, the once-clear sky is overshadowed by heavy, dark clouds.

“Rainy season,” ORPHEUS murmurs, seemingly lulled by the rhythmic sound.

 

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With my clothes drenched under the monsoon, I sprint towards my destination. As a spy who has infiltrated the Triads, I can’t move freely, and I must head back as soon as possible. Every second counts.

Finding shelter in an underground parking lot, I take off my top hat, attempting to shake the water off it with little success. As I steady my breath, a person’s muffled voice resonates from behind. “It’s raining cats and dogs, isn’t it…?”

The boy wears a gas mask adorned with comically pointy ears, making me question my own choice of camouflage. “Indeed.”

“Good to see you… What are we calling you nowadays? Master of…”

“Langman Shi, or Master of Romance.”

“Y-Yes, Master of Romance. Come, the major is waiting for you.”

I trail him deeper into the parking lot until we approach what seems to be a closet door. To my surprise, it opens to reveal a space much larger than expected. A foul stench assaults my nostrils, making me cough.

“I-I’m sorry for the smell… It’s our chemicals,” the boy stutters.

“Shouldn’t I be wearing a gas mask too, then?”

“D-Don’t worry, they’re not toxic.”

We traverse another corridor before arriving at a final door. Inside, a group of mercenaries lounge, their chatter echoing off the walls. Commanding attention in the room’s centre, the major sits behind a table, engrossed in a large book. As I approach, I strain to catch the title but come up short.

He glances up, his only remaining green eye studying me. Scars mark the skin near his eyepatch, telling tales of past battles. Prosthetic arm and leg, both intricately designed, hint at more stories of loss and survival.

“Welcome,” he greets with a hint of amusement. “What news do you bring?”

Using my handkerchief, I wipe away the sweat pooling on my forehead. “The White Snake is seeking refuge with the Triads.”

The major’s sole eye narrows, intrigued. “Isn’t that convenient?”

I shrug. “It is, but I’m somewhat restrained there. Word hasn’t spread in the underworld yet, but the Triads and the Yakuza are locked in a fierce rivalry. The Japanese are methodically eliminating them. My visits here will become rare. And we both know that other means of communication are … limited.”

It’s a slight distortion of the truth, designed to retain some measure of independence.

Undeterred, the major grins, mischief dancing in his eye. “A war… Exciting!”

His gaze shifts to a grotesque figure sitting in the room’s shadowed corner. “DARIUS,” he addresses, “how about we strike a deal with the Yakuza?”

The creature, resembling a monstrous Frankenstein, rises. Towering, with his head nearly grazing the ceiling, he answers with an unexpected clarity. “Yes, Major.”

Outside, dark clouds blanket the island, casting it into an oppressive gloom. The onset of torrential rains makes one thing clear: the rainy season has begun.

 

END OF ARC 3