Soone's targeting !
"Soone's targeting !"
That was the only thought in Takashi's mind after reading the entire article.
But no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't figure out—who the hell had he pissed off?
And at the sa ti, he couldn't understand—how did the people who published the article and leaked the video dare to do it?
Did they really think Takashi was so nobody from the countryside with no backing?
"I'm going to the restroom."
Takashi had lost his appetite for breakfast. He got up and stepped outside, intending to call Hitomi.
"Kitahara, is it true?"
As soon as Takashi left the cafeteria, the team's fifth batter and outfielder, Kamishima Tatsuya, asked the others uncertainly.
"Of course not. What the hell are you thinking?"
The first to defend Takashi wasn't soone else, but the very person he had pushed off the roster—Anai Tatsuya.
He didn't hold back and scolded the second-year student who had spoken.
Even though he wasn't chosen for the final lineup, as a third-year, he still had the authority to discipline underclassn.
"So what if it is true?"
The second to speak was Momodani Kana.
"If we didn't have Kitahara, we would've been eliminated in the first round."
As he spoke, he slamd the table twice with his fingers, then swept a sharp glance around the room and warned, "Watch what you say. Don't speak carelessly about things that aren't your business."
He didn't care about Takashi's personal lifestyle.
He only knew that Takashi was their one and only hope of dominating the national tournant.
He had already injured his arm for the sake of Koshien. Of course he didn't want it all to end here.
"That's right!"
Kudata Musashi chid in too.
No matter how the outside world condemned Takashi, the team had to stand united.
…
"Hitomi, did you see the trending topics this morning?"
Outside, Takashi was on the phone with Hitomi.
"Yeah. I saw."
Hitomi's tone was icy—not toward Takashi, but toward whoever was behind this.
"Who did it?"
Takashi didn't believe for a second that Hitomi wouldn't have inford the dia outlets beforehand.
For them to dare publish a piece like that anyway, it ant they were either brazenly fearless or had so massive backer behind them.
Otherwise, no dia would risk offending the Konoe family by printing that article.
And as it turned out, Takashi wasn't far off. Hitomi revealed the culprit directly: "It was the Shinomiya family."
"Kaguya?"
"She's just a pawn for political marriage. You think she has that kind of influence? No—it was that old half-dead bastard."
"Shinomiya Gan'an?"
Takashi was confused. Why would such a powerful figure take an interest in him?
He hadn't even done anything to that man's daughter.
"That old dog isn't targeting you. He's targeting ."
A flash of cold hatred passed through Hitomi's eyes.
"You know about the feud between the Shinomiya family and the Shijo family, right?"
"Yeah, I've heard a bit."
"The Shijo family is thriving in the States now. They're gearing up for a coback. A war between the Shijo and Shinomiya families is inevitable. You get what I'm saying, right?"
"You're saying… he wants to tie up your hands before that happens."
Takashi had experience in the business world. He might not have been successful, but he had gone through enough hardships.
He'd encountered these kinds of psychological warfare tactics before.
The goal was to shake your ntal state.
Young people were especially easy to throw off their ga.
Don't underestimate this—it wasn't a small thing. For soone in charge, ntal stability was critical.
When too many urgent matters pile up and your emotions are compromised, it's easy to lose your grip.
Back during the ituan vs. Ele. war, ituan's boss used tactics like this all the ti to ntally wear down the opponent.
Otherwise, why do you think Ele.'s managent made frontline staff take combat training?
It was because they cracked under pressure.
"Exactly."
As Hitomi spoke, she suddenly smiled.
It was a cold, cruel smile.
"Looks like he's getting desperate."
Shinomiya Gan'an's move made it clear—the Shinomiya family was really panicking.
There was no way he didn't know the risks of antagonizing her—and yet he did it anyway.
Because if he didn't make a move now, he'd soon be facing a two-on-one.
The Konoe family wasn't going to pass up the chance to tear a piece off the Shinomiya family.
"I'll have soone suppress the trending topic as soon as possible."
Hitomi was thinking about other matters, but she hadn't forgotten to deal with Takashi's situation.
To her surprise, Takashi said, "Don't bother."
"Huh?"
"Let them talk all they want. It's not like I'm losing anything over it."
Takashi had cald down.
"If anything, they're just giving free publicity."
Infamy was still fa.
What was the point of taking down the trending post now?
Everyone who needed to see it had already seen it.
"What are you planning to do?"
Hitomi's interest was piqued.
She knew Takashi all too well.
This man was not the kind to take a loss lying down.
Even if he couldn't strike back now, he'd find a way to stab you in the back later—or take a bite out of you.
"I need to ask you for a favor."
"What is it? Go ahead."
"I want to go after Kaguya. You've got to help !"
Takashi's gaze turned cold and sharp.
So, old man, you want to co after ?
Fine, just watch—I'll treat your daughter like a rental bike and ride her to the ground.
In other areas, Takashi might not be top-notch.
But in romance? He could absolutely have Kaguya wrapped around his finger.
Have you ever heard of ancestral-grade charisma?
"Approved."
Hitomi could more or less guess what Takashi was thinking.
"Takashi, don't disappoint ."
She was already picturing the scene—Kaguya falling completely in love with Takashi, only to be used by him as a blade to stab her own father in the back.
And when she found out the truth, being dumped and breaking down completely.
Just imagining it made Hitomi tremble with excitent.
She was never a good woman in the traditional sense.
That's why she never had any feelings for Takashi in the beginning. But after learning about his true nature, she started to fall for him.
Neither of them were decent people.
But like attracts like.
Takashi and Hitomi were the villains of any story. And yet, it was often villains like them who had the last laugh.
You think the people who bullied you will get their just deserts in the end? Reality is, those kinds of people usually live better than average folks.
There's no such thing as karma in this world. The idea that good things happen to good people is just a coping chanism for the honest and naïve.
"Alright."
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"Infamy was still fa."
So fucking true ngl. These days in my country, bad/ good reputation/news is still good, because at the end of the day, its a promotion to let people know about you/ your brand.
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