The boutique clerk brightened the moment the mayor's secretary, Kalifa, stepped in. By habit she reached for the latest pure and proper pieces—only to be stopped by Kalifa's calm voice.
"No. This time I want something bolder. Do you have a black, body-hugging mini dress that really shows my figure? I'll need black stockings to match. Also a white bodysuit, white stockings… seductive swimsuits that can drown a man's senses, too. And—lace lingerie. I'll take a selection for now."
The clerk stared, stunned; this was not Kalifa's usual lane. But she was a pro. After a heartbeat, she began pulling options to spec.
A short while later, Kalifa left with arms full of glossy bags and headed back to her place. The clerk walked her to the door, waving until the woman vanished around the corner.
"Buying so many sexy, beautiful outfits… even those daring swimsuits and lingerie." The clerk cupped her cheek, smiling. "Totally unlike Ms. Kalifa's usual style. She must be in love. Which lucky guy is it, to win the favor of someone that gorgeous and successful?"
"Huh? What did you say?" a man blurted behind her. "Ms. Kalifa… has a man?"
She turned—"Well if it isn't Foreman Paulie and Foreman Kaku from the shipyard. What a surprise!"
"Save the pleasantries," Paulie said, agitated. "Is it true? You said Ms. Kalifa's in love?"
Kaku adjusted his flat cap, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"It's true," the clerk replied without hesitation.
"That's impossible. I've never seen her close to any man. How could she be in love? You must be mistaken!" Paulie protested—ever the devoted admirer who couldn't bear such a rumor.
"I'm not mistaken," the clerk said, hands on hips, confidence radiating. "Listen, Foreman Paulie—she bought a pile of sexy, stunning pieces, completely different from her usual. If those pretty, even daring outfits aren't for the man she likes, why change her wardrobe at all? I've seen a lot of shoppers, including women head-over-heels. Ms. Kalifa fits the pattern perfectly."
"H-How could this be…? Ms. Kalifa… in love… Why…?" Paulie dropped to his knees, wailing in despair. Kaku could only sigh and shake his head.
"You two didn't know?" the clerk asked, surprised. "I thought people like you would be up-to-date on her life."
"We spend most of our time at the shipyard," Kaku answered politely. "Ms. Kalifa is almost always by Mayor Iceberg's side. It's normal there are things about her we don't know."
Chapter 378 — Kaku Grows Very Curious About Kalifa's Moves
Though Kaku works the shadows as an underworld agent, he's been nothing but mild-mannered during his stint as a Galley-La foreman.
"Is that so? Sounds like Ms. Kalifa's cover is airtight," the shop clerk said, musing aloud. "I was hoping I could meet her boyfriend through you two. I even wondered if it might be you, Mr. Kaku—there's just… something similar about the two of you."
She didn't bother saying the same of Paulie. However excellent he was, her instincts told her he and Kalifa weren't cut from the same cloth. Kaku, though—he and Kalifa shared a certain air. And purely on looks? The clerk felt Kaku matched Kalifa better than Paulie did. Of course, truth be told, neither man's looks truly measured up to Kalifa's.
At the clerk's words, a thin, hidden chill flashed through Kaku's eyes.
"Huh? Why do I suddenly feel cold? Am I catching something? I should throw on another layer…" The clerk rubbed her arms and forced a laugh. "Anyway, I should get back to work. You two, excuse me."
She slipped into the boutique. Kaku's smile faded at once, replaced by clean, sharpened ice.
"So she can sense a likeness between Kalifa and me… quite the perceptive saleswoman," he thought. "I'll need to be even more careful with the cover."
His training urged him to erase witnesses, but the mission came first; no unnecessary ripples. The mask of gentle civility slid back into place.
"Hey, Kaku—do you think Ms. Kalifa really could've fallen for some guy?" Paulie asked, standing up and dusting off his knees, face deadly serious.
"I don't know," Kaku said with a small shrug. "She's beautiful. It's not strange for suitors to gather. Maybe one finally caught her eye."
"Damn it—who is he?!" Paulie's fists clenched. "Kaku, let's tail Ms. Kalifa!"
"Tail Kalifa?" Kaku widened his eyes a fraction.
"That's right! Aren't you even a little curious which mutt stole the prettiest flower in the company?" Paulie demanded.
"I'm not curious… Fine. Maybe a tiny bit," Kaku admitted.
"Then let's follow her!"
"I'll pass," Kaku replied. "Curious or not, I'd like to keep living. You don't want to be kicked into orbit by Kalifa either, do you?"
"…" Paulie had no comeback.
"Come on. We've still got ships to build. Back to the yard," Kaku said, taking Paulie by the wrist and steering him toward Galley-La.
Joking aside, both Kaku and Kalifa were CP9 operatives. Letting Paulie tail Kalifa was out of the question—if he glimpsed something he shouldn't, their hunt for the blueprints to the Ancient Weapon, Pluton, could be compromised.
Even so… curiosity lingered.
"Kalifa suddenly buying that many clothes… Could she really have set her sights on someone?" Kaku glanced once toward Kalifa's residence. "When this phase wraps, I'll ask her myself."
...
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