Chapter 25
"Yeah, I'm staying over at a classmate's house tonight."
"Yuu-kun. Aki and a few other girls are here too."
At Nagisa Kazuha's insistent request, everyone agreed to stay the night at the old-style mansion. The Aki siblings, of course, had no restrictions, but the class president, Nao, had to call home to inform her parents.
"Yuu-kun."
When Nao handed over her phone, Souta Kiryuu took it and placed it against his ear.
"It's me, Auntie Ai."
"Yes, due to the earthquake in Arakawa Ward."
"Don't worry. It's safe here. I'll take good care of Nao."
He handed the phone back to Nao, who blushed furiously after listening for a few seconds and quickly hung up.
"Let's go inside, Yuu."
Pushing up her round glasses nervously, the usually gentle and composed class president lowered her head.
"Right."
Souta understood why she reacted like that. Her mother, Auntie Ai, had just advised her to use protection.
Should he praise her mother for being open-minded... or overly relaxed?
"What should we do next~~"
Back in the piano room, the now energetic Amane Tennyo pondered out loud.
This was actually her first time 'sleeping over' with others. In the past, it had only been her and her grandfather at the shrine. Eventually, just her.
"At a time like this, of course it should be a pajama party~"
Souta raised a finger, suggesting.
"And then a pillow fight."
Stare. x4
Faced with the intense gazes of four unique and stunning girls, Souta raised both hands.
"I surrender. I'm out."
"No way. Onii-chan has to stay."
Sora Aki objected immediately. She wouldn't have come if her brother hadn't dragged her along.
As a typical frail "shut-in," her slender fingers continuously swiped across her phone screen, proof of her "internet addiction."
"Hehehe~~ Yuu-kun, you better prepare yourself!"
Amane Tennyo cracked her knuckles, clearly excited.
"We have some men's pajamas at home too. If you don't mind, Souta."
All four girls chimed in to persuade him, their eyes barely hiding their excitement. Stroking his chin, Souta finally gave in.
"Alright."
Bring it on, all four of you!
Even if it's a pillow fight,
I, Souta Kiryuu, am not one to be overwhelmed!
While the teenagers were launching into a pillow fight, a certain young man emerged from the sewers, ready for another day's "work."
"Target sighted!"
"Target sighted. Repeating."
In the Special Operations Meeting Room of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, staff shouted while monitoring the surveillance screens.
Thousands of cameras installed across Adachi Ward, pointed at every manhole, caught the hooded figure.
"Target is moving towards Nishiarai Town, 2-Chome."
"Based on behavioral patterns, this outing is likely to target a member of the 'Fang Group' in 2-Chome."
Tanimura Wataru thought he was moving stealthily, but dozens of eyes were watching his every move.
And the second 'act' targeting him was already in full preparation.
Scratch that, it was already fully prepared. All that remained was for the 'leading man' to arrive.
"When will our 'collar' be in position?"
"Agents are en route. Estimated arrival in 10 minutes."
The police had devised dozens of plans to 'collar' Tanimura, covering all streets and alleys of Adachi Ward.
"What about the 'dog food'?"
"Prepared and ready for deployment."
"Based on the target's speed, we need to delay him slightly en route."
"Begin operations!"
With Director Takeshima's command,
Several officers silently appeared near Nishiarai 3-Chome, going about routine patrols—checking plates, issuing tickets.
?
Spotting the officers from afar,
Tanimura Wataru adjusted his hood and, as expected, took a detour.
At the intersection ahead, the traffic lights subtly changed.
The red light wait time extended from 70 to 85 seconds, and the green shortened.
But to the pedestrians glued to their phones, the tiny difference went unnoticed. As long as the lights didn't change color, they kept scrolling.
These subtle changes greatly slowed Tanimura's progress.
Meanwhile:
"Hey, Kengo."
"Come down. I just spotted a prime beauty in 3-Chome."
A call went to a talent agency labeled [KEN ON] in 3-Chome. At first glance, it looked like a respected agency, but closer inspection revealed a tiny lowercase "e" at the end.
In short, it was a knockoff, like "King Chef," "Seven Fierce," or "Old Ma Yu."
"Seriously?"
A man in a flashy pink suit, phone tucked between shoulder and ear, walked out.
"Just walked past me. You should be able to see her if you look up."
He looked up and was instantly stunned.
A girl approached. Sporting a traditional hime cut, her features were well-defined. Petite yet curvy, with a pure, unpretentious aura that struck deep into his heart.
Ever since finding out that his first "older girlfriend" had five other boyfriends, he'd become obsessed with dragging pure girls into the gutter!
"Miss!"
?
Startled by the sudden approach, the girl stopped.
"Let me introduce myself—I'm a talent scout. Here's my card."
The man in the flamboyant pink suit handed over a gold-embossed card while pointing at the building nearby.
"See? That's our agency."
"KEN ON?"
The girl covered her mouth in surprise.
This was a renowned agency, 50 years old, home to many famous stars. Known for its wealth and backing by the Sasagawa conglomerate, it was the dream destination for countless trainees.
"Hahaha, just a branch."
The pink-suited man laughed proudly. Deceiving these clueless amateurs was far too easy.
What girl could resist the dream of center stage, basking in adoration?
"I see potential in you. You could shine brightly on stage!"
"Pass our 'test,' and becoming a global star isn't impossible. Just don't forget me then~~"
The girl seemed tempted.
The man pushed further.
"How about a coffee upstairs?"
"After visiting our agency, your perception will definitely change."
And so, half-reluctantly, the girl followed him upstairs. Passersby barely glanced before turning away.
Those familiar with the street knew what [KEN ONe] really did.
Adult video production.
A.V. for short.
In a country where dating in middle school was common,
AV was just another job.
At most, they felt pity that another beauty would soon be devoured by pigs.
Was that Akemi?
No—it was her?!
At the other end of the street, witnessing everything, Tanimura Wataru frowned.
Looking up at the sign, his experience as an ex-yakuza investigator told him everything.
The AV industry preying on girls.
Forget it. None of my business.
"Wait a second, this isn't... a talent agency?"
In a fifth-floor room, the girl trembled as she backed away.
"Hahaha!!"
"Who said we weren't a talent agency?"
Several men in the room laughed, stripping while grinning lewdly.
"AV stars are still stars."
?!
She turned to flee, but froze.
The pink-suited man leaned against the door, playing with a sharp knife.
"You... You can't do this. I-I'll call the police—"
"Go ahead!"
"After we're done, we'll send the tape to your parents, teachers, classmates. Then call the cops all you want."
A nearly naked man with a camcorder sneered.
Whether they got caught or not,
The girl's life was already ruined.
The threatening aura, the closing circle of men, turned her face pale. Backing into a wall, she trembled.
It was over.
"Help me!"
"Hehehe, I love it when they resist~~"
"The more you struggle, the more exciting it gets!"
Just as the tattooed men reached for her—
A cold wind blew in.
"What the hell?"
The outermost man shivered and cursed, turning around.
?!
A hooded figure had entered through the open window.
"Who are you?!"
This was the fifth floor!
Before the thought completed, the hooded man shut the window.
Then:
Flash—
In a blink, he was before the tattooed man.
Shing—
Deadly claws shot out, but as his eyes met the surrounded girl's, he changed tactics.
Bang!
A punch to the chest launched the man backward.
"Who are you?!"
"Die—"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
In one second, multiple powerful punches landed on their necks.
Not a single cry escaped before their necks twisted grotesquely and they collapsed.
"M-Monster?!"
The cameraman wet himself in terror.
Before he could react, his vision went dark—forever.
"D-Don't come near me—"
The massacre was swift and efficient.
The pink-suited man stood frozen, then panicked. He threw the knife and grabbed the doorknob.
Flash—
The intruder intercepted him, catching the knife mid-air, and shoved it forward.
Stab!
The blade plunged into the man's mouth, all the way to the hilt.
He clamped the man's mouth shut and let the corpse slide to the floor.
Turning away—
Though it sounds long, all this happened in mere seconds.
The room was now full of corpses, except:
"Th-this is..."
In the corner, the tearful girl crouched, trembling.
As Tanimura approached, her frightened face turned to joy.
"It's you—"
Bang!!
A punch narrowly missed, blasting a hole in the wall beside her head.
"You think this is a joke?!"
His fury, bloodlust, and the metallic scent in the air overwhelmed her.
"I told you to focus on school. You didn't listen!"
"Star dreams, chasing thrills—and in the end, you get hurt!"
"Are you stupid?! Think the world is all sunshine?! That everyone will treat you kindly?!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Faced with such rage, the girl could only instinctively apologize—or rather, beg.
Seeing her tremble like a lamb, his anger faded just as quickly.
What's wrong with me?
She wasn't Akemi.
And the real fault wasn't hers, but those beasts!
Glancing at the corpses, he restrained himself from a full bloodbath just to avoid traumatizing her further.
"Stand up."
He offered his hand and pulled her up.
Seeing her stagger and unable to stand, he lifted her into his arms.
"I'll take you home."
"Don't come to places like this again, okay?"
"Mmm."
Nestled in his arms, the girl whispered softly.
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