Chapter 798. One week Later Part 3

「 I’m talking about the first-year tennis club member, Kiyohara Ai-chan 」

Nei suddenly talks to me while having lunch.

「 Well, after investigating the specifics for a week, the results are that she’s a girl with no connections to the underground society 」

Huh?

「 Her father’s an ordinary salaryman, her mother’s a housewife. She’s taking classes in the cultural center though. Ah, she’s not a lecturer but a student. She has no problems with her peers 」

「 You looked that up? 」

Kana-senpai’s surprised.

「 Not me. The research division of Kouzuki SS. You know, Yo-chan’s a VIP. It would be bad if he got involved with an actually dangerous girl. And so, no matter what he does… 」

The dispute between Kansai Yakuza and Kouzuki house continues below the surface.

And so, they’ll check everything.

「 Then, I had a week break after talking to Ai-chan, right? 」

「 That’s right! That one week was significant 」

Just eight days ago, there was a confrontation at the hotel in the city center.

The Kansai Yakuza are desperate to find Kouzuki house’s weak points.

Once they pin down that I’m going to this school, they might try to send someone to make contact with me.

Thinking that a spy is sneaking in is plausible.

However, Minaho-neesan monitors the whole school, and so she’ll know when someone is behaving strangely.

The hidden cameras and microphones within the school aren’t just for show.

「 While we’re at it, we also did the same investigation with Kana-chan. And now, you belong in the list of people Kouzuki SS protects 」

Nei said.

「 That said, you’re not monitored all the time, but instead, they check your location through your phone If I recall correctly. And in case something’s out of place, then they’ll send in people. Of course, people are watching you from the shadows at times 」

「 R-Right 」

Kana-senpai looked dumbfounded.

「 Then that means it would be reported if I walk together with a guy? 」

「 Huh? I mean, that guy you were with at the department store in front of the station yesterday was an older cousin of yours, right? A second-year guy 」

Nei smiled.

「 Ah, yeah. 」

「 And as for the business, your cousin’s friend liked you when he saw a pic, and he wanted to meet you at least once, but didn’t you refuse, Kana-chan? 」

「 Well, yeah 」

Kana-senpai’s frightened, Yukino…

「 If you’re surprised from that much then you won’t last long, Kouzuki SS is basically a spy network 」

Yukino lived together with the workers for Kouzuki SS until last week.

She’s observed 24/7. Thus, she knows how fearsome Kouzuki SS can be.

「 Naturally, you can get yourself a boyfriend, Kana-chan. Kana-chan’s free to pick your lover. Although, if you do that, you’ll have to bid farewell with Yo-chan 」

Nei says with a smile.

「 After a while, there would be people showing up and coming close to Kana-chan saying that they want to be acquainted with Kouzuki house 」

「 Me? 」

「 Mii-chan and Ruri-chan are both Yo-chan’s partners, that’s how much he’s worth 」

Nei looked at Kana-senpai with a straight face.

「 Kouzuki SS is already investigating Kana-chan’s cousin’s friend. Well, I don’t think that there would be any weird connections, but just in case. You don’t know what’s going to happen after all 」

「 Be careful about those “winning a lottery” or something. Enemies create every possible opportunity to get close 」

Edie said.

「 Oh right. You should refuse those free of charge nonsense. Or hand them to me. They may be wiretaps after all. And if you want something, just tell us. As long as it’s nothing much, we’ll hand them to Kana-chan as presents 」

「 Kana no longer needs to go to the lottery, you’ve long hit the jackpot after all 」

Kana-senpai.

「 Don’t take anything from strange people. Kouzuki house would bring out a fraction of money, is that it? 」

She speaks in discontent.

「 No, I’m the one paying for it

「 Nobu?

Kana-senpai looked at me.

「 You’re my woman, so I’ll pay for you. Though I don’t have money right now, so someone else is settling in my behalf 」

「 But? 」

「 No, it’s not just Kana-senpai, I’m doing it with everyone. I’ve got a lot of debt, but I’ll be sure to pay it all 」

「 Nobu will? 」

「 Isn’t that why I’m working hard on this bakery? 」

Kana-senpai.

「 But your products are only priced at 100 and 200 yen. 」

Yeah, no matter how much I sell…

I can’t pay off the debt I have on Minaho-neesan.

「 But, for now, I want to plant the seeds of trade and learn from it 」

I…

「 I’m an idiot, and so I need to understand how the market works before I move forward 」

「 Nobu’s serious 」

Kana-senpai looked at me in the eye and said.

「 Okay. Nobu wants to be self-supporting even when the Kouzuki house ladies support you 」

「 Yeah. Although I can’t get the knack of it 」

「 No, I think that’s mature of you Nobu… 」

Kana-senpai looked at Nei.

「 It’s my loss. I won’t be too selfish when it comes to money. I’d rather have fun being together with Nobu 」

She said with a smile, but.

「 Not really, you should be selfish, Kana-chan 」

Nei?

「 Misuzu and Ruriko of Kouzuki house have their honor. They don’t like it if Kana’s holding back on materialism 」

They’re daughters of a wealthy family, and so they don’t have any discomfort when it comes to money or social status.

If they don’t grant Kana-senpai’s material desires, then…

Misuzu and Ruriko won’t be satisfied.

「 Therefore, try to be selfish, think of it as an act of mercy. Don’t worry, we’ll help Darling to settle the accounts 」

Edie placed emphasis on “we.”

「 Okay. I’ll ask for stuff if that’s what satisfies the ladies 」

Kana-senpai agreed.

「 Either way, what I wish for is nothing much to the ladies 」

Kana-senpai’s an ordinary girl.

Even if what she asks for is branded, it’s nothing but a few thousands of yen.

「 Misuzu did say that the top-tier brands never show on advertisements so hardly anyone knows about it 」

I recalled.

「 The brands most people want isn’t something Misuzu and her kind would want to obtain 」

「 The wealthy wouldn’t use anything that most people could buy anyway 」

Edie and Nei said.

「 Why? Can’t Misuzu-san and others bring in Kelley or Barkin brands? 」

Kana-senpai asks.

「 It’s disgraceful for them to bring in bags other people also use. Especially when you’re in parties 」

Nei smiled wryly.

「 What? 」

I don’t get it?

「 It means that other people have the same model of the item. The ladies of Kouzuki house bringing in something similar to what others have broken their atmosphere. Women pay a lot of attention to that. Therefore, Mii-chan and Ruri-chan only bring in made-to-order items from super-high-class brands. If there’s only one of it, then there won’t be anything similar 」

I see.

「 As for me, I don’t care if I find someone with a similar item as long as it’s branded 」

Kana-senpai sighed.

「 And that’s why you can ask for those 」

Nei smiled.

「 Right, I guess I’ll do that 」

Kana-senpai laughed.

「 Right~ Women don’t like having something similar to what others have 」

Yukino said.

「 Remember the gay person I show up on television together? Francie 」

Yeah, the gay columnist.

「 That guy mentioned that when he showed up on another show, the co-star Enka singer lady said that “We’re wearing the same clothes, change yours.” They had different colors though. Francie’s wearing a green and the lady was wearing a red one. Then, Francie asks, “What do you mean by similar?” then the lady said, “The shape and image of our clothes.” Can you believe it? Francie’s Gay. He’s wearing women’s clothing, but he’s still a middle-aged man inside! They couldn’t be wearing similar clothes 」

Hmmm.

「 By the way, who’s that singer? 」

Kana-senpai asks.

「 ******ko 」

Yukino mentioned a name I don’t know.

「 Hmmm. I think that if Francie-san wears the same, there won’t be much difference 」

「 But! I mean! Francie’s an old man! I saw him enter the male restroom! 」

Yukino shouts.

「 But, if *****ko enters the male restroom I won’t be surprised either 」

Nei said.

「 She’s an Enka singer, and despite that, she’s looking at Francie-san as a rival, that’s something 」

Kana-senpai said with an amazed tone.

「 By the way, you’re going on that show wearing clothes this time, right? 」

I changed the topic.

Yukino’s confessed her pregnancy on TV and reconciled with us, and as a result…

Yukino, who’s been wearing a micro bikini for four months, is now allowed to wear clothes.

「 That’s right, but, it’s a problem if that drops the ratings 」

Yukino said.

「 I’ve been wearing my usual swimsuit in my show so far, but… 」

That’s hmmm.

「 I think it’s gonna be bad if I put on clothes and the show suddenly drops on ratings, right? 」

「 But, your stomach is growing bigger. If it gets cold, you might catch a cold, that won’t be good for the child 」

I said.

「 Right. And that’s why I thought of doing it slowly 」

Slowly?

「 For example, putting on the right socks along with the bikini next week. Left socks next week. Then breast-protector and something else by the following week, and increasing my clothing each week. Something like an RPG 」

What kind of thought process is that?

「 Putting that aside, what about calling a swimsuit idol as a guest? It’s okay to have Yukino-san as the only female in the show, but… 」

Kana-senpai said.

「 Not that I passed on that thought, but you know, since I mostly rampage on my show, most of the talents left… 」

Snatch, and Francie were the guys that stick with her.

「 But, the two were comedians, aren’t they? I’ve been watching your show since before, but, You never had an idol or a gravure morel show up, have you? 」

「 Now that you mention it, yeah. But, will they show up on my show? 」

Yukino asks herself.

「 They will. Yukino-san’s show has high ratings. Shouldn’t some women be hungry for success enough to have guts to appear in your show, right? I think that girls in national idol group would refuse since they’re already famous 」

「 Hmm. I see. Got it, I’ll talk to Snatch and Francie today. Thanks, Kana-san 」

Yukino thanked Kana-senpai.

However.

「 Look, Yukino-chi 」

Nei said.

「 You know that your show doesn’t have sponsors, so it shouldn’t care about ratings, right? 」

Right.

Yukino’s show is only broadcasting because the TV station yielded to Kyouko-san’s threats.

It doesn’t have any sponsors.

It doesn’t have any commercials nor any public advertisements.

It’s a special show where Yukino just talks with Francie and Snatch.

「 I mean, you can stop going there if you want 」

I said.

「 I’ll bow my head and ask for it 」

「 Huh, who? 」

Kana-senpai’s surprised.

Oh, Kyouko-san doesn’t know our relationship with Kyouko-san.

I mean, it’s a problem if she knows.

「 Kana-san, Kouzuki house owns the TV station that Yukino-chi shows in 」

Nei followed it up.

Jii-chan took the rights of management on that TV station from the Shirasaka house.

「 Oh right, you mentioned that they have an influence on mass media as well 」

Kana-senpai’s deceived somehow.

「 I won’t stop 」

Yukino said.

「 Why? I mean… 」

Yukino’s appearance on TV is the exchange for letting her live, or not letting her sold off.

Public humiliation was Minaho-neesan’s penalty on her.

But, Minaho-neesan no longer holds ill-will towards Yukino.

The family has forgiven Yukino.

Minaho-neesan’s revenge on Shirasaka Sousuke is over.

Yukino’s punishment should be over as well.

「 It’s just the same as your bakery 」

Yukino said.

「 I want to open a path for my life 」

Yukino.

「 And right now, this half-baked TV world is the only place I can earn money from 」

Yukino’s father’s offense and his tragic death.

Yukino’s humiliating videos.

The whole of Japan knows all of it.

No, it’s on the internet, so the whole world does.

「 Since I’m famous, I thought of capitalizing on that. I’d rather not live while feeling indebted to you 」

Yukino said.

Yukino’s resolved herself to live in the TV world.

「 If that’s the case, I’ll support your decision 」

I said.

「 Naturally. If you don’t support me, who will? 」

Yukino smiled.

「 By the way, Kana-chan, you never ask why Yukino-chi’s with us, do you? 」

Nei asks.

Yukino’s been coming to the bakery during lunch like it’s natural since last week.

「 Well, I thought I shouldn’t ask 」

Kana-senpai smiled wryly.

「 I mean, if I ask everything that’s around Nobu then I don’t think I’d be able to stand in surprise 」

Then, she looked at Yukino and me.

「 Nobu and Yukino-san talk very naturally. That’s how I see it. Therefore, I’d rather not ask the details 」

Kana-senpai knows the balance.

She doesn’t ask anything unnecessary, nor she doesn’t break the atmosphere.

「 Well, if Nobu or Yukino-san wants to talk about it, then I’ll listen. Think of me as your ally, Yukino-san. There’s no problem with that. To be honest, your open-heartedness is interesting, Yukino-san. You really are just like in the TV 」

In the end…

It doesn’t matter what kind of people her parents were…

Yukino’s fans increase through the TV broadcasts.

Naturally, people over the internet who still think that they can’t forgive Shirasaka Sousuke’s daughter because of his misdeeds still exist.

Students in our school still don’t know how to deal with her.

But.

They see on TV that Yukino’s not a bad girl.

It shows that she’s a girl whose frank with her opinions.

For sure.

Then.

Pinpon.

I hear the bell at the backdoor of the bakery.

「 Gimme a second! 」

Nei starts up the monitor to check the camera on the rear entrance.

The person on the image is…

「 Oh, they’ve come to pick me up 」

Kinoshita-san from Kouzuki SS.

Kinoshita-san is Yukino’s bodyguard for today.

「 I’ll open it up 」

I open the backdoor.

「 I’ve come to pick Yukino-san up 」

Kinoshita-san parked her car right in front of the backdoor of the bakery.

As usual, she’s holding a flail. It makes a sound as she walks.

Kinoshita-san looks cute on the outside, and so most people overlook, but…

Ordinary people and policemen would question her, “Hey, what are you holding?”

「 Well then, they’ve come to pick me up 」

Yukino stands up.

「 I’ll be back before dinner… 」

Yukino stared at me.

「 I’ll ask for details about that tennis club girl or something 」

「 There would be a video of it 」

Edie laughed.

◇　◇　◇

Now then, Yukino left.

「 I’ll be back at the counter. I’ll corner Megumi to continue the conversation 」

Edie, who finished her meal, returns to the counter.

Katsuko-nee and Megu should be enough as sellers over there.

Katsuko-nee never takes a break and is in the counter area until lunch break is over.

「 Katsuko-oneechan’s doing well too 」

Nei mutters.

「 She’s regained her life in high school, although as a bakery lady 」

I think so too.

Since standing in the counter of our bakery…

Katsuko-nee’s been in a good mood.

She left the management of the bakery to Megu and us,

And instead of hiding behind, she’s happier to have an exchange with the students, even as a salesperson.

Katsuko-nee’s fans are growing, both in male and female groups.

「 Well, putting that aside, let’s resume our meeting for Ai-chan 」

Nei?

「 Kana-chan, that stalker guy from Judo club slowed down this week, hasn’t he? 」

Oh, that guy who forced the first-year girl to date him…

Although, he’s the only one who wanted to enter that relationship…

He stubbornly urges the girl to send nudes…

In the end, he sent a picture of his dick to her.

It’s undoubtedly the guy from the Judo club.

「 Yeah. Our girls are guarding Ai-chan all the time too. Starting from sunrise until sunset, and there’s always someone with Ai-chan until going home 」

Kana-senpai replied.

「 And as for the mail spam on that Judo guy? 」

「 Same as usual. Sending stupid messages like “I love you, and so you should send me mails of your love too,” “when are you letting me fuck you?” and adding a photo of his dick 」

Is he stupid or a pervert?

Both.

「 And how did you deal with it today? 」

「 Yeah. Following Nei-san’s instructions yesterday, we’ll call that guy after school 」

You’re calling that pervert?

「 A letter would be sent to him saying, “You’re troubling Ai-chan, and so I’d like to talk to you.” With my name in it. And then our club member brought that to his room 」

「 Okay 」

Nei nods.

「 Well then, the decisive battle would be after school 」

She smiled.

「 I also sent Iwakura-san a mail already 」

Things are going as planned then.

「 Yo-chan, I told you the details last night. All it needs is your approval 」

Nei never does anything without my permission now.

「 Yeah, that’s approved 」

For now, the Judo guy is hopeless.

We’ll send him to Iwakura-san…

And as for Ai-chan.

「 Anyway, I’ll need to see her before deciding 」

I’ve only seen her through the screen, so…

Sure, I can tell that she’s cute, but…

「 Well, you can look forward to it after school 」

Nei smiled at me.