"Ah, Mrs. Takahara, hello and good afternoon!"
A voice came from beside her. Takahara Kasumi turned her head and discovered it was her neighbor, whom she had always found rather suspicious.
Due to the heat, the overweight, slovenly man was already drenched in sweat, his shirt clinging to him like a wet rag, exuding a faint odor. Unlike Ito Yoshito, whose perspiration seemed fresh and exuded a masculine charm, the smell emanating from this disheveled man was best described in one word: foul!
Frowning slightly, Takahara Kasumi still forced herself to greet him, her gentle nature preventing her from openly showing her distaste.
"Ah, good afternoon..."
"Well, if there's nothing else, I think I'll be going..."
Nodding slightly, Takahara Kasumi averted her gaze, grasped the doorknob, and prepared to turn it to return indoors.
"Madam, please wait a moment..."
The slovenly man rubbed his rough chin, his pale, mottled skin making him resemble some sort of goblin. Coupled with his bulky frame, calling him a "troll" would perhaps be more fitting.
A thin, crooked smile hung on his face, but it appeared utterly disconcerting.
"Mrs. Takahara, I believe there's something we need to discuss..."
Unhurriedly, he pulled out a phone from his pocket and displayed a photograph to Takahara Kasumi.
She focused intently on it, momentarily stunned, and then exclaimed, "It's you!"
"Wha, what?"
Although Takahara Kasumi had learned the night before through Ito Yoshito's phone that someone had lured her daughter into a scheme to lead her astray, she didn't know who had seduced her daughter based solely on that chat screenshot.
Now, this neighbor, who rarely ventured outside, had approached her suspiciously, presenting a photograph, clearly attempting to intimidate her.
Therefore... Takahara Kasumi confirmed that this man was indeed the lurking antagonist she sought.
Clenching her small hands tightly, she lifted her gaze, glaring at him with anger.
At that moment, she wanted to punch him fiercely, releasing the rage boiling within her; however, as she compared their physical statures, some sense of rationality returned. She turned and dashed down the stairs, determined to find Ito Yoshito for help!
"What... what is happening?"
The slovenly man was bewildered by what just unfolded before him. Why had the usually meek Mrs. Takahara suddenly turned aggressive and dashed away?
"..."
He opened his mouth to reveal a mix of yellow and white teeth, watching Takahara Kasumi sprint downstairs, then raised his phone but ultimately set it down.
"I suppose I should head back then; maybe I'll try again some other time."
After all, he was nothing more than a shadowy, unemployed recluse, and using a photograph of Takahara Hazuki to intimidate Takahara Kasumi was the boldest move he had made in years.
Now, while uncertain of where his plan went awry, he chose not to delve deeper into it. If he pushed Takahara Kasumi too hard and she decided to call the police, he'd end up in serious trouble. Although, from his observations, Takahara Kasumi didn't strike him as someone likely to involve the authorities.
...
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Takahara Kasumi knocked urgently on Ito Yoshito's door, her voice filled with anxiety.
"Yoshito, Yoshito..."
"Creak."
"What's wrong, Kasumi..."
Suddenly, a soft figure rushed into Ito Yoshito's arms. Feeling the gentle tremor of the beautiful woman within his embrace, Ito Yoshito reached out to tenderly stroke Takahara Kasumi's hair.
"Yoshito."
"Mm, I'm here."
Takahara Kasumi's voice trembled with emotion as she nudged her head against Ito Yoshito's palm, like a kitten seeking comfort. After a moment, her frantic heart began to settle.
"...Yoshito, I found out who that bastard was that lured away Hazuki."
"Who is it?"
"It's the person next door..."
Ito Yoshito squinted slightly, quickly recalling the image of the slovenly man. He remembered him well because every time Mami Asou went to collect rent, she always brought Ito Yoshito along.
"Kasumi, what do you want to do..."
"I... I don't know..."
"Call the police!"
"!"
Takahara Kasumi jumped, lifting her head from Ito Yoshito's chest and looking utterly lost. Her lips quivered, as if words were forming but remained stuck in her throat.
"I... I'm scared..."
Lowering her head slightly, her voice was muffled.
Ito Yoshito gently lifted Takahara Kasumi's chin, gazing into her eyes with warmth and an indescribable magnetic pull. "Don't worry, trust me, Kasumi. I will protect you."
His deep, magnetic voice provided Takahara Kasumi with a sense of reassurance, and she instinctively nodded.
"I trust you, Yoshito."
"Kasumi..."
Taking hold of Takahara Kasumi's slender wrist, Ito Yoshito revealed a faint grin.
"But before the police arrive, we should teach him a lesson for daring to set his sights on my Kasumi."
"..."
"Bang, bang!"
"Who is it?"
The slovenly man, setting down his gaming controller, looked quizzically toward the door. Someone like him rarely interacted with others, aside from when the landlord came to collect rent.
'Who could it be? Haven't I already paid my rent?'
"Creak."
He opened the door a crack, peering out to see what was happening.
A beam of sunlight pierced the dim room, revealing Ito Yoshito's sinister grin, followed by an overwhelming force pushing against the door.
As the door swung open, Ito Yoshito shoved it hard, causing the slovenly man behind the door to tumble to the ground.
"Wh-what do you want?"
Coughing violently and clutching his chest, it took him a moment to rise again.
Ito Yoshito seized the collar of the slovenly man's shirt, glaring fiercely at him and cackling, "What do I want? Of course, I want to take you down, you filthy pig!"
With that, Ito Yoshito lunged forward, delivering a heavy punch to the slovenly man's nose. It was as if the scene were straight out of a movie; the man's face collapsed under the force of Ito Yoshito's blow.
Immediately, blood poured from the slovenly man's nose, staining the ground, and a few yellowed teeth fell out.
"Ah!"
The slovenly man cried out in pain, staggering back and collapsing, which only made it easier for Ito Yoshito to continue his assault.
"Ah, ah, ah~~~"
A chorus of anguished cries echoed from inside the room, piercing through the night like the sharpest siren, shattering the surrounding tranquility and drawing Takahara Hazuki's attention from next door.
"Mom!"
As soon as she stepped outside, Takahara Hazuki saw her mother standing before their neighbor's door, her arms tightly crossed over her chest, her beautiful eyes sparkling with worry as she stared fixedly into the room.
Hearing her daughter's call, Takahara Kasumi glanced at her sideways, lips parting to say something, but ultimately returned her focus to the unfolding scene indoors.
A wave of panic washed over Takahara Hazuki's heart.
'What's happening to Mom...?'
"Stop! Please stop! I beg you, stop!"
Inside the room, the slovenly man was crying, huddled on the floor, blood dripping from his nose and pooling beneath him.
"Hmm."
"B-bro, can you tell me what I did to deserve this...?"
Casting a cold glance at the slovenly man, Ito Yoshito stepped aside, clearly revealing the alluringly beautiful figure of Takahara Kasumi standing nearby.
The man's pupils dilated in shock; he hadn't expected that his seemingly perfect plan would be thwarted by this. The usually meek Takahara Kasumi was now seeking help.
Shadows creeped over his face as he fearfully raised his neck and pleaded with Ito Yoshito, "P-please, bro, let me go."
"..."
"Don't come any closer! Stay away from me! Mrs. Takahara, Takahara Kasumi! If you don't make him stop, I'll post your daughter's photos online and expose everything about your daughter and your husband…"
"Shut up, you filthy pig!"
Ito Yoshito kicked the slovenly man hard, casting a disgusted glance at him as he prepared to continue the beating.
"Stop!"
Just then, the arrival of the police interrupted Ito Yoshito's actions. As they walked through the door, they glanced at the pathetic sight of the slovenly man sprawled on the floor and frowned, about to say something.
"Officer! Quick, arrest them! He's trying to kill me... they are bad people..."
The moment he saw the police, the slovenly man seemed like a drowning person grasping for a lifeline. He awkwardly moved his bulky body to the officers, tugging at one of their pant legs and pointing at Ito Yoshito, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Is that so? I thought I heard you threatening someone. Now, let's hear about the conflict between you two..."
"Officer, it's this person who wanted to do something terrible to Mrs. Takahara! I was just trying to help..."
Ito Yoshito gritted his teeth, glaring angrily at the slovenly man, wishing he could shred the façade of victimhood that he was trying to maintain.
"..."
As Ito Yoshito clearly laid out the situation, the police began to realize that things were more complicated than they appeared. If what Ito Yoshito stated was true, then the slovenly man was not only guilty of luring a minor into a compromising situation but had also committed attempted sexual assault.
"Now, you all need to come to the station to give a statement."
Coordinating with his colleagues, one officer began to escort the slovenly man out of the house.
"Yoshito~"
Takahara Kasumi anxiously approached Ito Yoshito, her beautiful eyes revealing her concern as she gently tugged at his sleeve.
Now that Ito Yoshito had severely beaten the man, she was worried that he might get caught up in legal troubles and sent to a juvenile detention center.
Ito Yoshito turned to look at the anxious expression on the beautiful woman's face, lightly grasping her soft hand. The warmth of his palm gradually soothed Takahara Kasumi's racing heart.
"Kasumi, don't worry. I'll take care of everything."
"Mm..."
Following behind Takahara Kasumi, Takahara Hazuki wore a complex expression, her heart feeling as if it had been battered by a storm, jumbled and chaotic.
"Mom... did you find out...?"
"..."
Under the warmth of Ito Yoshito's comforting words, Takahara Kasumi's previously turbulent emotions began to settle, but little ripples still surged within her. She paused for a moment before continuing to walk downstairs alongside Ito Yoshito.
Her complex feelings ultimately manifested as a soft sigh, carried by the wind to Takahara Hazuki's ears.
"Wuu..."
Her panic swallowed Takahara Hazuki whole, and the regretful sobs escaped her, accompanied by bitter tears.
...
In an office within a high-rise building, with the pleasant lunch break coming to an end, Mr. Takahara complained to his colleagues about his unbearable boss, reluctantly making his way back to his desk.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Takahara?"
"Yes…"
Standing before him were several police officers, comparing photographs with his likeness, and one officer stepped forward to inquire.
"Then please come with us for a moment."
Mr. Takahara felt a jolt of unease, a sense of foreboding weighing heavily on his chest. He stammered, "W-what did I do wrong?"
"Let's not discuss that now. Just come with us; we'll explain on the way."
...
"Hey, isn't that Takahara? What did he get into trouble for?"
"Not sure, but I always thought that guy looked shifty. He definitely seems like a bad person, probably got into trouble before, and now it's all coming to light."
"Right? I knew he was trouble from the start."
After Mr. Takahara left, various rumors and comments circulated, even reaching the boss's ears.
"Takahara, huh..." Sitting at a polished desk, Mr. Takahara's boss lightly tapped his fingers on the surface while glancing over Mr. Takahara's file. "Average qualifications, average capabilities..."
"Then I'm afraid I have to let you go, Takahara, for the company's reputation... you've made things difficult for us."
…
As night fell, due to the severity of the beating Ito Yoshito had delivered, he could only leave the police station upon being bailed out by Miyuri Asou.
The stars twinkled in the sky, as if they were the last sentinels of the universe, silently watching over the world below. The moon, a silvery dreamboat, hung in the horizon, casting a soft glow and draping the night in a gentle silken veil.
The evening breeze softly swept through, dissipating the accumulated tension of the day. Miyuri Asou's delicate hand rested in Ito Yoshito's large palm as she trotted alongside him, pouting her rosy lips slightly, lost in her own world.
"Hey, Miyuri, thanks for bailing me out this time."
Scratching his head, Ito Yoshito smiled at the sulking landlord and pulled her petite frame into his arms, playfully nibbling her soft cheek.
"Boo~"
"Hey! Get off me! Are you a dog or something?"
"Hehe..."
"Ugh..." Touching her damp, sticky cheek, Miyuri Asou sighed helplessly. She turned her side to face Ito Yoshito's handsome face and asked, "So why did you get into a fight? Don't you know I was really worried?"
"Hehe, don't worry about me, Miyuri."
Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Miyuri Asou gently tugged at Ito Yoshito's cheek. "I'm worried you might kill someone; if that happens, I won't be able to help you!"
"Alright, just tell me what happened."
"Well, it's like this. Kasumi..."
"Kasumi?" She frowned, realizing that something must have transpired between Ito Yoshito and the stunning married woman who rented from her. "Focus~"
"Ahem, it's Mrs. Takahara..."
"Hum~"
...
"...and that's how it went."
"I see... So, Mrs. Takahara... oh!" Her pupils widened slightly. Miyuri Asou couldn't help but feel sympathy for Takahara Kasumi's situation—after all, being betrayed by one's own daughter...
"What about the others? Have their penalties been decided?"
"As for Mr. Takahara, since Hazuki willingly entered a relationship with him, he's only facing one month of administrative detention."
"However, Mrs. Takahara has decided to divorce him. During this period, she's likely to file a lawsuit with the court."
"And for Hazuki... Mrs. Takahara mentioned she plans to send her to live with her grandparents."
"Finally, that disgusting man has committed a crime and will ultimately be handed over to the court for judgment."
The moonlight bathed the intertwined branches, casting dappled shadows on the quiet street, where only faint sighs remained.
"Sigh~ I hope Mrs. Takahara can move on soon..."
...
One month later—
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
It was the weekend, and no one had scheduled an appointment with Ito Yoshito. He finally had a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet, and just as he was drifting off to sleep, a series of knocks at the door jolted him awake.
Irritated, Ito Yoshito angrily opened the door.
Golden light spilled in like the rising sun breaking through the morning mist, gently illuminating Takahara Kasumi, who stood in front of him. The fitted, pure white dress she wore resembled a delicate bridal gown.
Her fragrant smile beamed from the corners of her rosy lips, and her fair skin was adorned with a hint of pink blush. Her watery, beautiful eyes gazed shyly yet determinedly at Ito Yoshito.
Upon seeing him, Takahara Kasumi lifted the delicate veil from her head, extending her slender hand toward Ito Yoshito.
Her snow-white hand no longer bore the shiny ring it once had.
"Yoshito~"
Takahara Kasumi smiled, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Will you put the ring back on my finger?"
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