Chapter Nine: The Simple Folk of Fuyuki City

“Roland?”

On another uneventful morning, as Roland walked back to his apartment, a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw Kirei Kotomine, who had just run down from the hilltop.

Since their chance encounter the other day, the two had become, at best, simple running companions. Their knowledge of each other was limited to the names and identities they held in society.

Though old prejudices lingered, Roland had to admit that spending time with Kirei Kotomine was quite pleasant, even if Kirei’s curiosity about Roland’s words from that day was barely concealed. Kirei’s troubled yet reserved nature meant he never overstepped boundaries or asked intrusive questions about Roland’s background, nor did he interrogate him as if filling out a census. He maintained a perfect sense of distance.

For someone like Roland, who valued his sense of security, this way of interacting was ideal.

“Ah, sorry, Kotomine, I’ve been working a lot of shifts lately. I think it’s because the manager is about to be transferred.”

“That would mean you’re being promoted, wouldn’t it? That should be a good thing.”

Kirei Kotomine couldn’t quite grasp why one should be delighted by a promotion. He was the sort of eccentric who treated everything outside his goals as something trivial—he’d do it, but wouldn’t mind discarding it.

Still, he made an effort to understand the meaning of these words through the lens of common sense.

“I’d rather the manager just find another part-timer soon. I’ve got another shift coming up, so I’ll be off. See you, Kotomine.”

Roland pursed his lips, making no further comments. All he needed was a suitable identity. Unlike Yoshikage Kira, who cared deeply about his image and indulged in luxury brands, Roland had little material desire.

“I understand.”

Kirei nodded and silently took his leave. This was the current state of their relationship. Though full of questions, Kirei Kotomine was always earnest, especially in pursuit of the answers he sought.

For someone as lost as he was, guidance was essential to find his answers. For that guidance and truth, he could disregard the wishes of his father and master and abandon all worldly possessions.

Thus, whether Roland could provide the answer was something he approached with utmost caution. These past days, while Roland observed him, Kirei had also been observing Roland.

Though he had no information about Roland, having the man himself as a reference made all else unnecessary.

He trusted his own judgment. His father and his master were men who lived by the rules and blended seamlessly with the world. But after these days of observation, Kirei was certain: this young man named Roland was different.

He was extremely disciplined, managed his time with precision, and even in brief conversations about politics, economics, or social phenomena, his insights were remarkable. In his actions too—while at first he moved like a novice, within days his posture became textbook-perfect, his breathing steady and controlled, making him a model example.

Such excellence in both words and actions could not be hidden. Without doubt, Roland was gifted, yet he seemed almost detached from the world. He cared nothing for recognition, wealth, or the ambitions that often accompany talent.

In terms of lifestyle, Roland was strikingly similar to himself.

But there was a fundamental difference—Roland possessed a kind of passion, a joy, a vitality as if he had found his purpose.

Halfway down the street, Kirei stopped and looked back at Roland, who had already disappeared, not even his shadow in sight.

He was now certain: Roland had found his “answer.”

For the first time in his life, Kirei felt a tremor in his heart. Not when he gained his father’s approval, not at his wedding, not even with the birth of his child had he ever felt this way. Yet now, his heart told him clearly—

He wanted to break free from his loneliness, to end his anguish, to understand a companion…

He wanted to become friends with this man named Roland.

---

“Strange?”

Always punctual, Roland arrived at the store a little early. As he entered the break room, his movements suddenly paused.

He frowned, his expression wary, sharp eyes scanning the room.

After a long moment, seeing nothing but the manager yawning behind the counter, Roland’s confusion grew.

Perhaps it was the heightened vitality and spiritual awareness that came with being a Stand user, or perhaps it was intuition born of good fortune, but Roland sometimes sensed premonitions.

Just now, he had felt such a signal.

It wasn’t the danger of being stalked by a predator, but rather the odd sensation that trouble was coming.

“Have I attracted some troublesome character?”

Pushing the thought aside, Roland entered the break room and began preparing for work.

Soon, before business hours began, the manager arrived as promised, bringing in a new employee to lessen Roland’s burden.

“Roland, this is the new hire starting today, Ryuunosuke Uryuu. Though Uryuu has some part-time experience, you’re the senior here, so please look after him.”

“Hello, senior Roland. I’m Ryuunosuke Uryuu. Pleased to work with you.”

“Pleased to work with you.”

Though he didn’t intend to treat their previous encounter as an unrepeatable coincidence, Roland’s expression grew quite complicated.

Ryuunosuke Uryuu—he’d heard rumors that this man considered his crimes a form of artistic creation, calling himself an artist. Thus, apart from his “art,” he earned his daily expenses through honest work, firmly embracing his identity as a serial killer while looking down on common criminals like robbers.

But seeing it with his own eyes was absurd—here was someone with the talents of a professional assassin, yet instead of making a name for himself in the underworld, he was content to work quietly at a convenience store?

Was this really the behavior of a deranged killer?

After a brief conversation, Ryuunosuke sensibly threw himself into his work, leaving Roland and the manager some space.

“So, what do you think? Pretty good, right? I was a bit surprised during the interview too. He’s a bit flashy in his appearance, but Uryuu is actually very enthusiastic and easy to get along with.”

“I don’t doubt it. A few days ago, he lent me a hundred yen and helped me out when I was in trouble.”

“See? I knew it!”

The manager patted his chest in satisfaction. “Uryuu’s personality suits Fuyuki City well. Fuyuki was once famous for its honest, simple folk. Ah, it’s just my luck to have found you two when I needed help.”

Ignoring the manager’s continued musings, Roland lowered his gaze and impatiently flexed his fingers. The nails he’d trimmed just yesterday were now, slowly and relentlessly, sprouting again—already grown a centimeter longer, like fresh shoots bursting forth.