Chapter 57: When a general is away in the field, he may refuse the sovereign's commands!-Tóquio, Minha Amiga de Infância é uma Lenda Urbana(Tranquilidade para o restante da vida)

Returning once again to the luxurious estate of the Inoue family, a grand celebration was held in honor of the triumphant return of Fukué Number Three.

There were no questions, no hesitations; the mere return of Fukué Number Three signified that the mission had been accomplished to absolute perfection.

As for Koichi Inoue and his family, not a single soul cared about them.

Seated at the seat of honor, Fukué Number Three looked out over the core members of the Inoue family gathered below, and down at the exquisite dishes laid out before her on a low table—a single meal worth nearly half a month's salary for an ordinary working-class citizen.

"We thank Lord Fukué for taking action, allowing the grand ambitions of the Inoue family to proceed smoothly to this day!"

"Cheers!"

Amidst the excited shouts, Fukué Number Three raised her glass of red wine with a bored smile, clinking it against the glasses of beer held by everyone else.

In Island Nation culture, the order of drinking at gatherings is strictly observed; the first drink is almost always draft beer, and only afterward can one choose other alcoholic beverages.

Had it been any other member of the Inoue family, they would have been fiercely reprimanded for breaking this custom.

Yet facing Fukué Number Three's disregard for the rules, no one dared to utter a word.

"Lord Fukué, it has been a long time, yet you remain as stunning and beautiful as ever. I offer you this drink."

"Lord Fukué..."

At first, Fukué Number Three had rather enjoyed the feeling of being flattered by the crowd, like the moon surrounded by a myriad of stars.

However, as the title of "Lord Fukué" was repeated over and over again, her expression gradually grew weary.

Especially given the synchronizing consciousness feeding her images of Fukué and Kaho Utagawa sharing all sorts of affectionate moments.

Why should this be? Why must I be the one sent out to do the dirty work? Could she not have come herself?!

The longer she brooded over it, the angrier she became; every step back felt like a growing loss.

She was out here working herself to the bone handling all sorts of problems, while Fukué comfortably enjoyed Kaho Utagawa's tenderness back home.

I'm done with this!

The more she thought about it, the more furious Fukué Number Three grew. She stood up abruptly, leaving the members of the Inoue family at the banquet completely bewildered.

*Lord Fukué? Is the food not to your liking, or did someone say something wrong?*

For a moment, the members of the Inoue family felt a sense of impending doom, knowing all too well that when Fukué lost her temper, people actually died.

Yet since the guest of honor had already departed, the banquet lost all reason to continue.

paying no mind to the various anxieties of the Inoue family, Fukué Number Three stared down at the red wine in her hand and the elaborate dishes spread across the table.

With a look of sheer annoyance, she walked down the corridor and entered her exclusive private residence within the Inoue estate, heading straight for the bathhouse—a facility maintained year-round by dedicated staff, yet one that no one else dared to use.

The maid who stood on duty around the clock immediately stepped forward, eager to help Fukué Number Three undress, only to be casually waved away.

"Get out!"

"Yes...!"

Not understanding why Fukué Number Three was suddenly in such a foul mood, the maid dared not ask any further questions.

Disregarding the fact that her expensive gown would be completely ruined, Fukué Number Three sat right down into the bathwater and immediately launched a barrage of mental messages at Fukué.

*Why should I be out here risking life and limb while you enjoy comfort at home? You are Fukué, but am I not also Fukué?*

Back at Utagawa's residence, Fukué paused in thought as she watched Kaho Utagawa meticulously trimming her fingernails.

*There is no why. I needed it, so you had to go.*

*You!*

Feeling the mental link being unilaterally severed by Fukué, Fukué Number Three angrily slapped the surface of the water.

Gazing upward at the starry night sky, her thoughts began to drift.

Though it infuriated her, Fukué Number Three knew deep down that ever since the hive-mind consciousness had manifested, she was no longer truly Fukué, but merely a splintered fragment split off from her.

Looking down at her own skin—flawless, fair, smooth, and alluring as porcelain, identical to Fukué's in every way—her gaze grew deep and complex.

Recalling the earlier command Fukué had given her: to self-destruct once the mission was completed, the corners of Fukué Number Three's mouth twitched in supreme disgust.

*You say do it, and I just have to obey?*

*Even Kaho cannot order me around. Who do you think you are?*

*Besides, you severed the connection unilaterally, so you have no right to blame me.*

*Since this body is going to be scrapped once the mission is over anyway, I might as well take the time while I still have it to treat myself to a proper vacation.*

*If I can't snatch the man, at least treating myself to some eye candy shouldn't be a problem, right?!*

With that thought, she happily climbed out of the bath.

Dripping wet, Fukué Number Three shoved open her bedroom door, took the freshly prepared change of clothes handed to her by the waiting maid, and quickly dressed.

Upon returning to her room, Shinosuke Inoue was sitting quietly on the sofa, waiting for her.

"Lord Fukué, is something wrong?"

*There it is again, 'Lord Fukué'. Right now, your 'Lord Fukué' is busy locking lips with a man! Probably going to eat beef too...!*

*So annoying!!*

Though secretly seething, Fukué Number Three knew that whether she called herself Kawakami or Fukué, it was impossible to escape the duplication of her identity with the original Fukué.

At this thought, her expression darkened with renewed irritation.

"Help me book a ticket to the Maldives."

"Right now?"

"Yes, immediately. I'm leaving tonight."

"Understood. I will arrange it right away."

Hearing this, Shinosuke Inoue nodded repeatedly. Though he had no idea why Fukué Number Three suddenly decided to go abroad, he immediately instructed his assistant to set up a full itinerary for her.

With Shinosuke Inoue's departure, Fukué Number Three leaned back contentedly against her sofa.

*A man is just a man; are there not men everywhere?*

*You guard your beloved at home, while I appreciate muscular hotties on the beach. Everyone has a bright future ahead of them.*

*I'm not bitter. Really, I'm not bitter at all.*

*So what if she manicures your nails? So what if she joins you for training?*

*It's nothing special. Really, nothing to make a fuss about.*

*Training, pfft—can't fingers be trained too? Who cares about that useless chunk of meat...*

*Hah...*

*I am not jealous at all. Really, I am not...*

"Bitch! Whoever wants to come next time can come themselves, I am done with this, ahhh!!!"

Tearing at her hair in sheer frustration, Fukué Number Three marched angrily out the door.

"Is my ticket ready?!"

At her furious tone, Shinosuke Inoue's secretary scurried over from the hallway, terrified that she might displease the master enough to throw her out on the spot.

"It has already been booked for you, the ten-thirty-five flight tonight. Would you like to head over now, or..."

"Now! Immediately! Right this instant!"

Soon, under the secretary's arrangements, Fukué Number Three boarded a dedicated car and headed straight for the airport.

In the airport VIP lounge, Shinosuke Inoue's secretary hovered nervously by Fukué Number Three's side, terrified of making a single misstep that might incur her wrath.

Amidst the secretary's anxious waiting, Fukué Number Three crossed her legs and tried to read the latest issue of a magazine—magazines that usually passed the time quite pleasantly.

Today, however, she couldn't register a single word.

She glanced at the secretary, who wore a flattering smile, fully aware of the Inoue family's status and Fukué Number Three's position after having learned her lesson.

"Go take care of something for me. Starting tomorrow, until I return from the Maldives, send a package to Kaho Utagawa's house and my own house every single ten minutes. Specify that I must sign for it personally—even if I refuse delivery, it must still be delivered. Understood?"

The secretary stared at Fukué Number Three in utter bewilderment.

*Sign for it yourself? Weren't you just heading to the Maldives?*

*And why deliver it even if you refuse? What is the meaning of this?*

Watching the secretary scurry off to execute the orders, a cold, mocking smile crept onto Fukué Number Three's lips.

*You like giving orders, you like synchronizing to show off, do you?*

*Tomorrow, I'll teach you what it means when a general is away from home and the ruler's commands can be ignored!*