The Decision
Kashima Masuoka, a 45-year-old man, was born in the Kyoto Prefecture. His parents owned a dango shop called "Mashuya." Known for his troublesome behavior from a young age, he became involved with a local motorcycle gang, much to his parents' dismay. They hoped for his rehabilitation, but Masuoka gained a notorious reputation.
At the age of 19, his relatives strongly urged him to enlist in the Self-Defense Force, hoping it would straighten him out. Masuoka, always physically strong and a natural leader, quickly outshone his peers. He rose through the ranks, becoming a respected leader and gaining popularity among his comrades. His dedication to training earned him the battalion commander's award twice, cementing his reputation.
However, at 25, he was arrested after a drunken altercation involving a hostess at a club. Another incident at 27 led to his discharge from the Self-Defense Force.
After his discharge, Masuoka drifted from job to job, working as a truck driver and security guard, but none of these positions lasted long. Eventually, he found himself drawn to the nightlife industry. Initially, he worked as a driver for an adult entertainment shop, but his imposing presence and background as a former Self-Defense Force officer caught the attention of local gang members, who scouted him.
During this time, Masuoka was involved in two incidents of assault against women, employing blackmail as a tactic. In both cases, charges were postponed due to insufficient evidence.
…
…
After reading his life story, I never imagined that a man like him could exist in this world…
"…A real villain…" I muttered, swallowing hard as an uneasy shiver ran down my spine.
This man, Masuoka, is a murderer—a ruthless figure with a strong physique honed by years in the Self-Defence Force.
'If Hiro can take down this man… then so can I,' I thought to myself, determination bubbling up despite the fear clawing at me.
…
'Is she really planning to take revenge on this man?'
Touka had told me that her entire life and family were ruined by Masuoka. But I know the truth about her, the secrets she hides behind that fierce resolve. Still, I have to keep up the charade, playing along as if this were one of her dramatic manga plots.
She loves to surprise me with her stories, spinning them in such a way that it feels like I'm hearing them for the first time, even when I know her truths lie hidden within the fabrications. Touka must have crossed countless dangerous paths in her relentless pursuit of Masuoka. I remember that day—when she leapt from a hotel window, driven by a reckless hope.
According to Touka, she believed a journalist had information on Masuoka, and she was convinced that he still possessed the details she needed. But in the end, the lead was a dead end, and she fled the scene without hesitation. It seems she's engaged in these kinds of risky, borderline criminal acts repeatedly, all in the name of her vendetta. All those suspicious behaviors of hers until now—every lie, every cover-up—were all part of this.
…
"Touka…" I called her name softly.
"I won't forgive him…" she whispered, her voice laced with unyielding anger.
I glanced over my shoulder, surprised to find Touka awake and clinging to my back.
"To-Touka…?"
"That guy… Masuoka will be released on parole this year," Touka said, her grip tightening as if she could crush the reality she despised.
"…Is that… so…" I replied, my voice trailing off, unsure of how to respond.
"…After all this, his sentence was reduced due to insufficient evidence…" she continued, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "Even though he was the main culprit, he pinned the blame on another gang member…"
I fell silent, unable to find the words to comfort her or to challenge her rage.
"I know what he did… I know the truth…" Touka's eyes were cold, determined. "It's also a lie that he spent the money he stole. I'm certain he's hiding it somewhere."
"Killing a person, stealing over 200 million yen, and then getting out of prison after only 10 years… He's planning to live comfortably with the stolen money for the rest of his life… I can't allow that!"
"…Is that why you want revenge?" I asked quietly.
"That's right. I'm going to make him suffer and take back the money he stole," Touka declared, her eyes blazing with resolve. "Even if he kneels on the ground and apologizes, I won't forgive him… Even if he cries and regrets his sins, I will never forgive him…!"
"I will… definitely…"
"…Touka…"
She looked at me, a small, almost childlike smile breaking through her anger. "…Ehe," she giggled softly. "It's rare for me to get this mad… I think I'll just go to bed now."
"…Yeah," I said, watching as her fierce expression softened into weariness.
"Good night, Himeya…" Touka murmured, resting her head against my back as she drifted off once more.
'Revenge, huh…'
The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow on Touka's vulnerable form, her skin gleaming pale and soft in the silver light.
…
…
—Future—
"Fhuwaaa…" I yawned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
Last night, I worked until nearly dawn, racing to finish up the latest chapter of the novel. Because of that, I didn't get enough sleep, and my mind was still foggy.
Ring – ring
"Hmm?" I fished my phone out of my pocket, feeling the familiar buzz. It seems my past self sent me a message after a long time.
'What happened to me back then…? My younger self was so stubborn and rebellious…'
[Touka is about to do something outrageous.]
[But maybe that's more than Touka can handle on her own.]
[That's why I think I'll help Touka.]
[It's an easy thing to do.]
WHAT THE HELL?!
[What is Touka trying to do??!]
…
[Touka is planning revenge.]
…
[Revenge? For what?]
…
[Revenge for the robbery and murder.]
"Wait… what are they thinking…?!"
After exiting the ticket gate, I realized I had forgotten to buy my usual bento. I was too distracted, typing furiously on my phone as I hurried down the street.
[The murderer you mentioned… is it Kashima Masuoka?]
…
[So, you knew about him, huh?]
…
[I just know the name. That's all.]
[The only thing I knew was that Touka had been gathering information on that man.]
[I found out when I got access to Touka's phone.]
…
[You mean her…?]
…
[I hadn't heard anything about it until after Touka supposedly moved out.]
…
[Touka didn't actually move out. That whole story was a lie.]
"…What is he…"
[Stop doing stupid things]
[Stop Touka]
…
[Can't do it]
[Because I promised to be her partner]
[I'm going to help Touka]
…
[Is cooperation really going to benefit Touka?]
[Isn't it more important to stop her?]
…
[I confessed to Touka]
[Touka also told me that she likes me]
…
[That's good then, don't do anything weird and just be in love with each other]
…
[I was with her]
[I'm not going to leave her side anymore]
[I will cooperate with Touka and take revenge on Masuoka]
…
[Wake up, idiot!]
[The person you want to confront is a murderer]
[Listen to me, please stop Touka!]
[I'm begging you, please stop her]
…
[If you're me from the future, you also knew about him, didn't you?]
[Why won't you stop Touka?!]
…
"I… that's wrong… I wanted to… but… senpai… Haruka…"
Suddenly, an excruciating pain shot through my head, a pain I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Why now…?"
I glanced at my phone.
[I don't know how my actions will affect you in the future]
[If the result turns out to be bad, I'm sorry]
…
Step – step
"Huh?"
I turned around, sensing someone following me, but saw no one.
…
I looked at my phone again, re-reading the chat messages.
[Don't do it if you'd rather apologize!]
[Please, absolutely stop Touka]
[Okay?]
[Hey, reply to me]
[HEY!]
[HEY!]
"What the… why is this happening…?"
I was bewildered. One thing was clear to me now: what I was experiencing was no longer the past I had known. It was becoming an entirely different past, completely transformed…