Ti slowly slipped away.
Ayatsuki Ayaka had been putting on a brave front, never showing any sign of fatigue in front of Saeko and the others.
This disguise lasted until she reached her bedroom at ho, where she threw herself onto the bed, sighing deeply.
Helplessness was etched on her sun-kissed cheeks.
How had things developed to this point?
It was nothing like she had imagined when she left the house this morning.
She turned over, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Without the air conditioning on, the room felt a bit stuffy. Outside, the cicadas were still chirping, their sound lacking its usual pleasantness.
Now she just found the cicada calls particularly grating—too loud.
Currently, Saeko and the others were of the opinion that she should break off the relationship.
This didn't quite align with her own thoughts.
But what choice did she have if she didn't accept it?
She scratched her head. Her sister was clearly not soone she could discuss this with.
If her sister learned of her hesitation, she'd probably grab a rolling pin and beat her rcilessly.
Ayatsuki Ayaka had no desire to be hospitalized.
Who should she talk to?
She fell into deep contemplation.
Maybe she should seek help online.
At this thought, Ayatsuki Ayaka managed a kip-up, though with so difficulty as the weight of her chest hindered her agility.
She picked up the air conditioner remote, first turning on the air conditioner to cool down the room.
Then she took out her phone and, after a mont's hesitation, decided to ask a fan for help—one who always left encouraging comnts under her videos.
She had interacted with this fan a few tis and felt that Early Sumr was a very mature and insightful older-sister figure.
Maybe she could co up with a good solution.
Ayatsuki Ayaka sent her a private ssage.
"Early Sumr sis, there's sothing I'd like to ask your opinion on, if you're available right now?"
She tapped send.
Ayatsuki Ayaka turned over again, looking at the ceiling, her mind sinking into thought once more.
Such a dilemma...
「Ayase Apartnt, Morimoto Family.」
Morimoto Chitose had finished chopping all the vegetables and was ready to start cooking when her phone vibrated.
A ssage? Could it be the special case team?
Her eyes darkened; if the special case team was ssaging her at this ti, it ant sothing serious had happened.
Morimoto Chitose wiped her hands on her apron, took out her phone to unlock it, and saw it was a ssage from her YouTube account.
Who could it be?
Curious, she tapped to open the ssage and saw it was from that lovely vlogger seeking help.
"I'm available. What's up?"
She tapped send, placed her phone beside the induction cooker, and turned on the stove to prepare braised chicken feet.
Her phone chid with a new ssage alert.
Morimoto Chitose stirred the food while reading the ssage from the vlogger.
"Early Sumr sis, it's like this: I confessed to the person I like, but he has so major issues with his principles. He's a bit too... 'generous with his affection.' But he didn't hide it from ; he told clearly and also said he likes . My friends all say I should break up with him. I don't really want to, so what do you think I should do?"
After reading the ssage, a thoughtful expression crossed Morimoto Chitose's face.
She could almost conclude that 'generous with his affection' ant fickle.
Telling your crush about your past girlfriends, huh?
YouTube sure is interesting; all sorts of people are on there.
With that thought, Morimoto Chitose was sure the vlogger couldn't bear to part with this 'affectionate' boy.
As she continued to cook, she typed her reply.
"I understand what you're feeling. If you don't want to give up, then work on accepting him. But I'm not saying you should tolerate him being with other girls—instead, use your charm to change his mind. Make him gradually realize that love isn't sothing to be shared."
"Can I really do that?"
"Of course, you have to believe in your own charm. The fact that he was so frank with you ans he truly treasures you and didn't want to deceive you about sothing so important."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
Ayatsuki Ayaka almost jumped up on the bed, her face full of excitent. Finally, soone understood her feelings!
Maru and Saeko's opinions weren't wrong, of course.
But personalities vary from person to person, leading to different perspectives.
Ayatsuki Ayaka's angle on the issue differed from theirs.
They focused only on the fact that he was two-timing.
What Ayatsuki Ayaka valued was Aozawa's honesty; she believed that if he were rely lusting after her, he would have simply lied.
"Early Sumr sis, thank you! I know what to do now!" Ayatsuki Ayaka's expression was full of excitent.
Aozawa's way of thinking was wrong; she had to correct him, not stay away from him.
It had to be that woman, Morimoto Chiyoda, who instilled those unreliable ideas in Aozawa to monopolize him!
What vile intentions!
She must rescue Prince Aozawa from the clutches of the Demon King.
As Ayatsuki Ayaka thought this, a heroic sense of mission surged within her.
Just you wait, Mr. Aozawa, I *will* save you!
DING-DONG. Another ssage arrived, and Ayatsuki Ayaka quickly checked it.
"Glad you understand. Keep it up! You're so cute, you'll definitely be able to change that boy's mind."
"Hehe, thanks for the encouragent, Early Sumr sis!"
Ayatsuki Ayaka tapped the send button.
Without seeing the person, rely by looking at the text, Morimoto Chitose could imagine the vlogger's joyful expression at that mont.
It's so great to be young!
Chitose's lips curled upward as she casually sent a ssage: "I'm going to cook now, talk later."
"Okay, Early Sumr sis."
The polite reply made Morimoto Chitose even happier. Such a well-mannered child.
「Night fell.」
Colorful signs gradually lit up along the streets of Shinjuku, especially in Kabukicho.
The recent incidents in the underworld hadn't affected the surface prosperity.
When so people disappeared from here, new ones arrived to take their place.
Kabukicho never lacked for people.
Durant, wearing a baseball cap, hands in his pockets, appeared on a street in Kabukicho.
A large screen in the shopping mall was broadcasting an interview, part of a TV program about the fugitive Durant.
An invited guest, a renowned history expert, expressed concern that such a vicious criminal was still at large.
A right-wing legislator present expressed confidence that the tropolitan Police Departnt would spare no effort in investigating the case. They would arrest the heinous criminal Durant as soon as possible to comfort the 'heroic spirits' of past victims.
The program also had relatives of the deceased co on stage, including small children, to cry and garner public sympathy.
Online public opinion was one-sided, all condemning Durant's inhuman brutality.
Against this backdrop, Durant remained calm, casually standing by a streetlamp and pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
He put a cigarette between his lips.
CLICK. The lighter ignited the cigarette. He took a deep drag, exhaling smoke through his nose.
Durant wasn't worried about being discovered.
As a CIA agent chosen for such a critical mission, his abilities were outstanding.
With makeup, he could alter his appearance to look like a white Westerner or an African man at any ti.
Modern costics, when used well, are truly powerful.
The only thing Durant was concerned about was whether Dio would recognize him in such a disguise.
But without makeup, walking casually on the street would be a mockery of the tropolitan Police Departnt.
It would also be a mockery of the massive fifty million Yen bounty on his head.
Such a high bounty could make even those indifferent to the case rember his face.
Durant's eyes narrowed in thought. Several won from nearby adult entertainnt shops tried to coax him inside, offering 'warmth.'
He refused them all in English.
Glancing at the ti, Durant's brow furrowed. Would Dio even be able to find him?
He continued to stand there. A long ti passed, so long that the crowd перед ним grew denser.
Durant was about to move to another spot to wait when he heard footsteps behind him.
He tensed, instantly alert, and quickly used a small mirror to check behind him.
A familiar face reflected in the glass.
"Dio, how did you recognize ?"
Durant turned, his eyes flashing with surprise. His current appearance was a world away from how he looked in the detention center.
His skin tone even suggested a different ethnicity.
"I have my ways."
Aozawa didn't disclose how he had recognized Durant; he had previously spotted Durant's scar below his abdon using his X-ray ability.
Revealing that would seriously damage his image.
Better to remain mysterious.
"Follow ."
Aozawa turned and walked into a deserted alley.
Durant's gaze darkened slightly. If he recalled the briefing correctly, Dio's file indicated he wasn't affiliated with any organization.
But judging by the situation, did Dio have a hidden organization, or perhaps a secret base?
Suppressing his excitent—he hadn't expected to gain such crucial information on the first day—Durant obediently followed.
Entering the alley, prosperity was a stranger here; quiet desolation was its main the.
Aozawa stopped, turned, and pulled a gun from his pocket. He casually tossed it to Durant. "See if this will work for you."
Durant caught the gun. He was familiar with firearms from all over the world and imdiately recognized it as the standard-issue sidearm for Japan's SAT team.
P229.
Manufactured by the German SIG company.
"The gun is good. Where did you get a gun like this?"
"Don't you think that's a redundant question?"
"Indeed. For a Superpower User like you, getting a gun shouldn't be difficult."
Durant pocketed the gun and asked, though he already had an idea, "Why are you helping ?"
"I just find your ideas interesting."
Aozawa chuckled. "So, what's your next move?"
"Eliminate Sato Shintaro. He's a key figure in the Right Wing, dedicated to promoting militaristic culture, and also a descendant of war criminals."
Durant had already discussed with Jack and the others that their targets were the right-wing legislators; assassinating them was a way to gain Dio's trust.
As long as he could earn Dio's trust, the CIA didn't care about sacrificing those individuals.
Aozawa smiled. "Is that so? Well, I look forward to your good news."
Durant suppressed the urge to ask for contact information. "Thank you for your help. You've given another chance to fight for justice."
"You're welco. Whenever you need firearms, just co to Shinjuku at night. I can resupply you."
Aozawa transitioned into a state of non-existence, like Schrödinger's Cat, and disappeared from the street.
He had his own business to attend to.
Helping Durant was just a matter of convenience.
Reviews
All reviews (0)