Vermouth wasn't the type of woman who only knew how to complain. When she encountered a problem, she thought about how to solve it.
She also clearly understood that Toru, with his Central Intelligence Agency identity, didn't have freedom. He always had to carry out missions assigned by his superiors.
She was the same. If That Man gave her an order, she had to carry it out.
"This production is important, and the contract has already been signed, but I can use my identity to request that the final part be filmed in Japan."
Vermouth's public identity was Chris Vineyard, and it was one she had no intention of giving up, much less abandoning.
So, when it came time to film, she still had to show up.
Once in Japan, she could use the excuse of being exhausted from the shoot and stay there to rest.
She could even request missions in Japan from Boss to complete, giving herself more reasons and excuses to remain there.
Thinking this, Vermouth sent a message: "Wait for me in Japan, Boy~ I'll come see you when I find the time."
...
Toru, who had already arrived at the airport, received Vermouth's message. He chuckled. This was what he appreciated about mature women, they had a strong sense of boundaries.
If it had been a young girl new to love, she might have thrown a tantrum or complained, thinking he didn't want her anymore after getting her body.
But Vermouth, instead of dwelling on emotion, focused on how to support him, and then made plans to come find him herself.
Indeed, even without prior dating experience, mature women were more reassuring.
After checking his passport and luggage, Toru boarded the first-class cabin.
However, he didn't fly directly to Japan. First, he crossed the Atlantic and landed in London, the capital of England.
St. James's Park in London sat near Downing Street, close to the famous 10 Downing Street and the River Thames.
Toru sat on a bench, holding a newspaper and reading with apparent interest.
It wasn't a serious paper, but a British tabloid, The Sun, and what he was really looking at were the half-naked models on its pages.
Before long, a gentle and refined old man in a waistcoat, with the air of an English gentleman, sat beside him.
The old man also pulled out a newspaper, but his was far more serious—The Daily Telegraph, England's most influential paper.
Eyes still on the paper, the old man said calmly, "MI6 has a mission for you."
Toru didn't look away from the scantily clad model on the page and replied indifferently, "I came here for that. Don't waste time, just get to the point."
This old man was the head of MI6. Toru had already received instructions from his Father, this was a joint mission between the CIA and MI6, and he was the one designated to carry it out.
Though the internet was highly developed now, transmitting files online always carried a risk of leaks.
So, top-secret documents were still hand-delivered. That was why Toru had come to England.
"Akai Mary, formerly Mary Sera, senior MI6 agent. Seventeen years ago, her husband, Akai Tsutomu, also an MI6 agent, went missing in America."
"After that, their eldest son went to America and joined the FBI, intending to investigate his father's disappearance."
The head of MI6 casually slid a brown paper file onto the bench toward Toru.
Toru picked up the file without looking, still focused on the newspaper. "I saw Shuichi a couple of days ago. He's highly capable and has a solid reputation within the FBI."
"He tried to join the CIA back then, but was rejected."
The head of MI6 smiled faintly. "If he wanted to investigate his father's disappearance, the CIA would've been the most ideal agency. The FBI doesn't handle that kind of intelligence. He probably had no choice."
"Besides, with both his parents being MI6 agents, it's no surprise the CIA rejected him."
No matter how close the U.S. and U.K. were, and how much intel they shared, they still had to keep each other in check.
"Akai Mary has recently gone missing. She left a single message. According to our intel, she's likely heading to Japan."
"She's a senior agent and holds many MI6 secrets."
The old man's tone was flat.
"MI6 suspects she's betrayed them?" Toru asked.
"Yes. It's better to be cautious. The fact she left a message means she still had her freedom. But she didn't report her situation, which raised red flags."
"You're Spencer's top recommendation and already well-known within MI6. I'm relieved to entrust this mission to you. I suspect she has people inside MI6, so I can't use our own agents."
"Once you're in Japan, investigate Akai Mary's whereabouts and status. If she's truly betrayed us, eliminate her."
"That file contains her complete records."
The old man's tone turned cold.
This was the fate of an agent. Once suspected of betrayal, the only outcome was death.
"I understand."
Akai Mary... I remember she was staying in a hotel?
But there are too many hotels in Tokyo. Investigating that would be annoying. Still, if I track Sera Masumi or that shogi family, I'll get her location.
"Since you want me to handle this mission, shouldn't you at least provide some funds?"
Toru suddenly said.
The old man's face darkened. His voice turned gloomy. "I'll have MI6 allocate the funds."
Only then did Toru smile in satisfaction.
Once the funds are in my hands, aren't they mine?
It's perfectly reasonable to buy a bag of screws for eighty thousand dollars, right?
(To be continued.)
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