Starry Performance Hall.
Behind the bar counter, polishing a wine glass with a white cloth, Chisato watched as the members of Kesshoku Band finished their live performance on stage.
At the same time, his mind wandered back to what had happened that afternoon.
That well-known detective had been caught red-handed by him but still refused to admit anything.
Instead of giving away any useful information, he quickly fled.
But the mere fact that Chisato had detected his tailing was already enough for him to draw some conclusions.
When Dark Wings alerted him to a potential stalker, his first thought was that someone might be following not him, but Hitori.
After all, incidents like this were common in Japan. Many actresses and celebrities had obsessive fans who wouldn't leave them alone.
Kesshoku Band's popularity had been skyrocketing lately, and with a growing fan base, all sorts of people were bound to appear.
However, upon getting closer and realizing that the person tailing them was a rather well-known detective who had even appeared on the news, Chisato's perspective shifted instantly.
Given everything that had happened to him recently, he had already narrowed down a prime suspect.
Touma Youko.
Most likely, she had hired a detective to investigate him—for her daughter's sake, and perhaps also to learn more about the person who had once saved her life.
Thinking it over, she was the only one who had both the motive and the means to do this.
That said, even if Chisato had figured it out, there wasn't much he could do.
The detective had kept his mouth shut and escaped. There was no way he could confront Youko about it based on mere speculation.
Besides, after everything he had confessed to Kazusa, he didn't really have the right to accuse someone else of invading his privacy.
He had been the one who acted terribly first. He couldn't blame her for retaliating.
Guess I'll just have to accept it.
Bzzz—Bzzz—
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Setting down the glass, he pulled out his phone, and when he saw the caller ID, he froze for a moment.
Touma Youko.
Her calling at this moment made it impossible not to overthink things.
But with the phone still buzzing, he didn't have time to sort out his thoughts.
Without hesitation, he answered.
"Chisato, it's me... Hm? It's pretty noisy on your end."
"I'm working part-time right now. Please hold on a moment."
Chisato tapped Seika on the shoulder, who was facing the stage. When she turned around, he gestured toward his phone.
After getting a nod of approval, he swiftly stepped outside the store.
With the noise cut off, he was greeted by fresh air and a vast, unobstructed night sky. It was actually quite beautiful.
"Alright, I can talk now."
"I don't have anything urgent. I just think that things can't continue like this between you and Kazusa. Let's find a time to talk."
Chisato instinctively gripped his phone tighter.
"Talk... You mean me, Kazusa, and you—"
"No, no, Chisato, you misunderstood me."
Youko cut him off with a lighthearted tone.
"When I say 'we,' I mean just you and me. Not Kazusa. Given how she is right now, I doubt she'd be able to sit calmly and listen to you."
Chisato let out a silent, weary sigh.
"How is Kazusa doing?"
Leaning back in a garden lounge chair, a small glass of red wine in hand, Youko swirled it gently as she gazed at the deep red sky through the glass.
"Honestly, not great. She was starting to feel a little better these past few days, and with my encouragement, she finally decided to go to school and talk to you properly..."
"Then—"
"Hold on, Chisato, let me finish. She really did leave the house this morning. I even stood at the entrance and watched her go."
"But for some reason, about half an hour later, she came back in tears—looking just like she did after that conversation with you at the hospital."
"Did you call her or send her a message that upset her?"
"No. I've been calling her every day, but she never answers. As for messages... I didn't send anything this morning."
"Is that so? Then this is strange. If it wasn't you, what could have made her look so heartbroken, like she was about to cry?"
Youko set down her wine glass and looked at her fingers.
She hadn't played the piano in a long time, and her nails had grown quite long.
"...I'm not sure."
Hearing Youko's description, Chisato had a vague suspicion in his heart, but he didn't voice it.
"Well, it's not that important. I'll ask Kazusa myself once she calms down."
"Let's get back to our original topic—I want to meet with you alone so we can calmly resolve the matter between you and Kazusa."
"You pulled me back from the hands of death. I have a lot I want to do with this second chance at life."
"...Miss Youko, are you planning to leave Kazusa's side again?"
"Who knows? Maybe it depends on how our conversation goes. Perhaps it won't be me who leaves, but her who chooses to leave someone else's side."
"..."
Chisato understood the implication behind Youko's words, and his heart sank. He had considered this possibility long ago, but it was the last thing he wanted to happen.
"So, boyfriend-kun, when do you have time? I don't have much work recently, so I'm free whenever."
Chisato thought for a moment.
"Tonight works."
"You're more impatient than I thought. Alright, got it."
Youko lazily got up from her lounge chair, intending to change clothes. Even for someone as carefree as her, going out in a bathrobe would be a bit too embarrassing.
"You're still working part-time right now, right? What time do you finish?"
"Around nine o'clock."
"That's already quite late."
Youko showed a troubled expression as she walked upstairs, lightly tapping her forehead with her finger.
"Let me think… what kind of proper establishment would let a student like you enter freely…"
"Miss Youko."
"Hm?"
"Can't we just meet at your house?"
"..."
Youko stopped mid-step, then smiled.
"How nostalgic. Not just you, Chisato—many outstanding men have said that exact same line to me before."
Chisato ignored the teasing remark. From her tone, he could tell she wasn't rejecting the idea.
So, he pushed a little further, speaking in the tone of someone who "understood her concerns."
"Miss Youko, you're a beautiful woman, and lately, crime rates in Japan haven't been great. I thought it would be safer if I, as a man, went to you instead."
"Besides, this would save you the trouble of traveling."
"You've just recovered from a serious illness and need to rest—going out unnecessarily isn't ideal."
In one breath, he gave three seemingly reasonable arguments.
"I think I understand why Kazusa is so fixated on you. You speak well, you're good-looking… If I were twenty years younger, I might've fallen for you too."
Faced with Youko's comment, Chisato could only let out an awkward chuckle.
Youko chuckled along with him.
"Alright, I get what you're trying to do. Let's meet at my place, then. But let me warn you in advance—don't expect too much."
"Kazusa just finished dinner and took a bath before locking herself in her room again. Even if you come over, you probably won't get to see her."
Chisato nodded calmly.
"I understand."
"Good. I'll be waiting at home. Be careful on your way here."
"Got it."
After hanging up, Youko turned around and headed back downstairs.
Since she no longer needed to change clothes and go out, she decided to finish the glass of wine she had left untouched.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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