Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

When the envelope about “district redevelopment for the Tokyo Olympics” showed up in Ama-no-Iwato’s mailbox, I thought it was a scam at first. The contents were blunt: “In order for the Tokyo Olympics to proceed smoothly, your shop is in the way, so vacate the premises. You’ll be compensated. We’ll introduce relocation agencies, find a new place through them.”
Honestly, it reeked of fraud.

There were plenty of Olympic-related scams going around, and I figured this was just another land grab hiding behind the Games. But the envelope and documents looked so official that I decided to look it up online, and sure enough—it matched information on the Organizing Committee’s official website. Seemed legit.
Just in case, I even called their hotline. They confirmed the letter was authentic. Not a scam.

*So that’s that…*
*Ama-no-Iwato is disappearing, huh…*
*That’s sad…*

The secret organization Amaterasu has been quietly pulling strings in Japanese politics for years now. With enough pressure through those connections, I could probably stop the redevelopment and keep Ama-no-Iwato alive.
I do have a sentimental attachment to the place. Ideally, I’d like to keep running it there forever.

But this time, I think we should accept the redevelopment.
Three reasons:

First, the negotiations are being handled by the Tsukimori group (a.k.a. Tsukuyomi). They’re known to have superpowers and their infamy precedes them. The Japanese government often uses them, and outwardly, they may seem like proper agents—but they’re just land sharks in practice.
This is such an adult and worldly matter; I don’t want the two secret organizations to clash over this.

Second, it’s a perfect opportunity to move Ama-no-Iwato underground—to Antarctica.
That’s been a dream since the organization’s founding. Back then, it was impossible. But now we’ve got Shige-jii’s warp gate, the Magic Castle, and a massive underground cavern under Antarctica.
Drop the Magic Castle into the cavern, connect it to Japan with the warp gate— and bam, Antarctic underground base complete. Ama-no-Iwato in Adachi will vanish, but Ama-no-Iwato will be reborn as its second generation inside the Antarctic cavern.
Besides, even when it is covered in cloud camouflage, the location of the Magic Castle is being pinpointed thanks to the tireless efforts of research organizations from various countries. It is time for Magic Castle-kun to stop living such an unstable, unanchored life and settle down somewhere.

Third, I actually want the Olympics to succeed.
Sure, part of me says, “If a single stubborn shop could ruin the Olympics, maybe it deserves to fail.” But as a Japanese citizen, I’ll step aside for this one.
That said, the compensation they’re offering is way too low. I’ll sic Shiori on them—she’ll squeeze out the proper amount or at least wrangle some concessions.
*My Mommy is really scary when she’s mad, you know! (Snitching is best)*

Still, the real owner of Ama-no-Iwato is Shiori. Even if it’s technically in both our names, what’s hers is hers. She gets the final say.
I explained the notice and my thoughts to her, and she basically agreed.

“Since it’s come to this, maybe we should take a little break?”

She was sitting elegantly in our bedroom chair, scanning the notice.

“We never really got to relax after the wedding—what with that whole time traveler incident.”
“Fair point, but could you put some actual clothes on?”
“I am wearing clothes.”
“…That’s underwear.”

And not just any underwear—the kind that zeroes in on my weaknesses and murders my reason on sight. Nowhere safe to look.
*Stop teasing me. I’ll buy it. Whatever the price. Happily.*

“It’s fine. I’m only wearing it for you, Kine-mitsu-san.”

*Sold!*
*I’ll take the whole stock!*
*No need to check the price tag!*

…And with that, our secret organization strategy session was derailed. Holding Shiori as she drifted to sleep, I realized: maybe it really is time we’d slow down.
Besides, little Rin-chan will never be born if we don’t.
*Newlyweds deserve some time, don’t they?*

So yeah—the secret organization went on hiatus.

To the members, we explained it as: “Due to redevelopment for the Olympics, Ama-no-Iwato will temporarily close.” They were disappointed but accepted it. Conveniently, our psychic defense artifacts were said to suppress the World Shadow for a while, so we didn’t have to worry about crises. Shiori and I enjoyed our honeymoon life to the fullest.
Secret organization activities are meant to be fun and enjoyable. They’re meant to enrich lives. The priority should be a fulfilling life, so dedicating your life to the secret organization would be putting the cart before the horse.

Still… maybe two whole months off was a bit much. On the day Shouta, Touka, and Chris were to attend their senior year opening ceremony, a certain event-starved Baba came storming the old Kaburagi mansion.

She was wearing a leopard print shirt layered over a black jacket, ripped jeans, and huge black sunglasses that were the wrong size for her. Stuck in her braid was a small twig with a red camellia flower that was out of season.
Honestly, she looked like some kind of yakuza kid who’s acting tougher than she actually is. *Baba, are you sure you’re not being influenced by Tsukuyomi too much?*

Peering out from the window, I watched her roll up in a black luxury car with a squad of black-suited bodyguards. She waved them to wait as she strolled up to the gate and tried to open it herself.
But the gate didn’t budge. She gave the security camera a troubled look, but the lock was already released. The auto system’s broken, sure, but if you push, it opens. She just doesn’t have the strength her appearance suggests. She’s just too weak.
Seeing Baba rattling the gate like that, she looked like nothing more than a helpless little girl. Even the bodyguards behind her were grinning. *Are you really okay being treated like that?*

So I opened it with psychokinesis, and Baba immediately strutted in like she owned the place. Normally, enemy bosses meeting casually like this is bad news. But hey—rivals with a mysterious connection occasionally holding private talks? That’s hot, so whatever.

Shiori happened to be cooking hotpot, so we invited her to join us.
Now seated around the table, Baba started dishing only vegetables into her bowl and got straight to business.

“Remember how you said Tsukuyomi has way fewer playing members than Amaterasu? While you two were busy doing hanky panky, I made a list of candidates. Handle the recruitment and implant your psychic source, if you would.”
“Ah, well, sure. I’ll get around to it.”
“That’s your ‘never gonna do it’ voice. I know you too well. Children grow up fast—Shota and the others will graduate before you know it. You can’t neglect event preparations and recruiting newcomers. A tree that grows no new shoots only withers.”

That sounds like a proverb from her home planet, though I’m too distracted by how fast the vegetables are disappearing from the pot. This damn herbivorous Baba would keep eating the greens, cooked or raw.
Shiori, who was in charge of managing the pot, ladled some mochi into Baba’s bowl.

“Here, eat some mochi too. I’ll serve you. I know you can’t eat meat, but at least get some carbs in you.”
“No.”
“Don’t be picky! You won’t grow if you don’t eat properly!”
“I don’t need to grow if it means eating mochi. No means no.”
“Honestly, this child. Darling, say something to her.”

*Wait, I’m dragged into this skit too?*

“Uh, you know what, listen to your mother.”
“…I will if you raise my allowance.”
“No.”

With her proposal shot down flat, Baba pouted, threw herself onto the floor, and started flailing.

“NOO!! I don’t want mochi! I don’t want it unless you make more espers! No, no, nooo!”

*Oh crap!*
*That’s my old throwing-tantrum tactic when I begged my mom for candy at the supermarket circa elementary school!*
*Damn it, Baba! Don’t make me relive that shame! And you’re way too good at acting!*

“More espers! Make more! I You gotta! I won’t stop until you do! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! In all seriousness, at least promise me two new recruits within six months.”
“S-sure.”

Her sudden switch back to serious mode was so jarring I agreed without thinking. Two’s manageable anyway.
Satisfied, she devoured the veggies, left behind a candidate list, and strutted out.

Flipping through the list, I saw most addresses were overseas. A note explained Tsukuyomi was dabbling in black-market trade abroad, and an overseas branch was being proposed. Planting espers there and making them executives would be convenient.

Hmm.
Amaterasu’s Japan expansion has been going smoothly, and I’ve been considering going worldwide.
We’re rested, the timing’s ripe.

It’s time for the secret organization to go global.