"Who's sick?" Mori inquired about Akiko, who was bowing in front of him.
Of course, Akiko was apologizing because she had requested a sudden leave. That absence would disrupt team two's workflow. Kyoko might not mind anymore, but Akiko clearly still felt guilty.
Fortunately, Kyoko had mentioned earlier that there were no additional targets this week, so Akiko could feel a bit more at ease, but she still felt the need to apologize to Mori.
Mori, of course, responded calmly to her apology, but the question earlier had caught Akiko off guard. Akiko didn’t want to answer it.
“The person who took care of me since I was little,” Akiko answered as vaguely as possible.
“Oh, I see. I understand. Of course, you should be with them. No need to feel guilty. With the current workload, I think Kyoko can handle it on her own. You can take additional leave if needed. Since we aren't busy, you can use the leave reward you earned last t
Akiko wanted to cry to release all the frustration she had been feeling for the past few days, but she was very aware that this was an important moment and she couldn't allow herself to lose focus. Akiko pressed the call button, and within two or three minutes, the room was full.Akiko initially thought only the nurse and the attending doctor would come to check on Kenji's condition, but when the nurse saw that Kenji was awake, she immediately ran out.After that, five doctors rushed in together. Then, three more came in, crowding around Kenji. The room was spacious, but it slowly began to feel cramped and noisy."You still need to stay here for observation until you recover strength. You can't go home yet." One of the doctors quickly rejected Kenji's request to leave.Kenji groaned, but he couldn't protest either. He acknowledged that he had exhausted his strength just by asking to go home.Another doctor began discussing his physical
Kenji pointed to the blanket on the chair, and Inoue quickly grabbed it. But when Inoue was about to spread the blanket over Kenji's legs, Ryu stopped her.He pointed at Akiko, and Ryu triumphed. Kenji didn't protest further. The blanket was indeed for Akiko, who had once again fallen asleep near Kenji's hand.After their upsetting conversation, Kenji fell asleep due to the medication and discovered that Akiko had also fallen back unconscious.In addition to Akiko, Inoue and Ryu were waiting in the room. They arrived shortly after Ryu received the doctor's report."Should I move Akiko to the sofa?" Ryu whispered, with sincere intentions, to make Akiko more comfortable.But Kenji responded with a look that clearly said, "If you touch her, you'll die." Moreover, the possibility of Akiko awakening and encountering Ryu looms large."Okay, I was just offering," Ryu whispered back and approached the bed."Why did you tell her?" Kenji hissed
On the next page, Inoue checked the notes and mentioned what Kenji needed to finish."Nakano-san called you. She wants...""Reject what she wants. I don't want to deal with her right now," Kenji cut in. He didn’t want to waste time dealing with his fake fiancée at the moment."And what about the thing I asked for a few days ago?" Kenji asked, referring to the investigation report he had ordered yesterday."I only managed to go through half of the material, but I've already found several cases that are almost identical." I can give you the current report, but it won’t be complete yet." Inoue worked quickly, but it wasn't a magical process. The amount of data she was reviewing was vast."In that case, later. Once it's completed, all at once." Naturally, Kenji understood.Inoue nodded and noted the instruction on her tablet."Make sure no one knows what you're doing. I don’t want the involved parties to get suspici
"What is this?" Akiko asked, confused, as she received a jacket and hat from Inoue. She didn’t need any additional clothing.“You have to wear it,” said Inoue.“Huh? Why?”Akiko looked at her own outfit. Today she was wearing a t-shirt, warm pants, and a cardigan—no need for another jacket. The hat was understandable, but not the jacket.“Just wear it. Give that cardigan to Inoue. You put on the jacket and tuck your hair into the hat,” Kenji replied as he got up from the bed, wincing from pain but still taking two steps toward Akiko."If you want to go home with me, wear the jacket and hat." Kenji took the hat from Akiko’s hand and turned her around.“Hm?” Of course, Akiko complied—it was too late to protest. Kenji stood behind Akiko, gathering her long hair into his hands, then folding it upward.“Why did you grow your hair out? You usually prefer it short.
“Oh, it’s changed,” Akiko gasped as they arrived at Kenji’s house.There were several changes due to Kenji's condition, especially in his bedroom. Kenji's bedroom now has a large bed. The modern design featured earth-toned bed linens and black cushions.It didn’t quite match the atmosphere, but aesthetics weren't as important as Kenji’s comfort. If he had to get up from the floor every time, his body would struggle.“Yeah, and thank goodness for that.”Kenji walked with a cane and laid down on the bed slowly—very sluggishly. If not for his injuries, Kenji would have thrown himself onto it. He tossed the cane aside and sighed in relief.Kenji was beginning to understand why the doctor had forbidden him from going home. His body felt utterly exhausted from the simple act of walking into the house. His chest ached when he took a breath.“I’ll make some hot tea,” Akiko said,
Kenji looked at Akiko, who was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He didn't like the sight of Akiko in her Shingi Fusaya uniform."Are you leaving?"At the same time, Kenji cursed silently. It seemed like Ryu was about to lose another life for failing to prevent Akiko from going to work, even though he clearly held the highest authority in Shingi Fusaya now. He should've been able to stop her easily."Yes, of course. I told you yesterday that I have to work, right? I've also prepared lunch," Akiko said, pointing to the fridge. She had stored the lunch there.Kenji didn't respond, and he walked toward the chair."I was planning to bring breakfast to your room; you didn’t need to come here," Akiko said, having already placed Kenji’s breakfast on a tray.Akiko didn’t want Kenji to move around too much. His injuries made him tire easily. He was still using a cane, walking slowly to reach the kitchen."No need. I wa
With anxiety still in her chest, Akiko carried the medical bag—filled with medicine and bandages—and slid Kenji’s room door open. The sight in front of her made Akiko want to turn around and run.But in the end, her feet stayed rooted. Kenji was sitting on the bed, unbuttoning his shirts one by one, in order.Akiko wished Kenji had done this earlier, so she only had to change the bandage without having to watch him take off his shirt. The outcome would be the same—Akiko would still see Kenji’s body—but the process made all the difference. Fatally so.Watching Kenji’s body being revealed little by little felt worse—or perhaps better, Akiko couldn’t decide—than seeing it fully exposed all at once.After a few seconds—after all the buttons were undone—Akiko sighed, turning her head and stepping inside.Akiko prepared the medicine and equipment, while Kenji took off his shirt.
"Shouldn't you be busy? Why are you bothering me?" Kyoko answered Akiko's phone, slightly annoyed.Akiko could imagine what caused that. Kyoko was most likely watching something or reading manga when Akiko interrupted her. Her attitude when working or reading manga was usually the same. She really hated being disturbed."Yeah, I was busy earlier. But I’m done now. I already cooked and did other stuff," Akiko said, sitting on the grass by the Koi Pond in the middle of the garden."So now you're bored and have decided to call me? Finally remembering me?" Kyoko’s irritation was still apparent, and Akiko knew the reason behind it."It's not that I didn't want to say goodbye to you, but the decision was really sudden. You can't be furious at me, Kyoko-chan," Akiko said, half-pleading.Kyoko was a bit upset when Akiko suddenly left the apartment without properly saying goodbye.Akiko had explained that her decision to go to Kenji
"You are too calm for a pregnant woman."Kenji didn’t scold her; he was simply amazed by how easily Akiko went about her usual activities.Akiko did not experience any nausea, dizziness, or vomiting. Akiko ate all her meals well, slept peacefully, and hadn’t requested anything strange so far.Kenji had prepared all the foods Akiko once liked, but none received any special reaction. She ate them, but never excessively. She followed her usual eating habits, not consuming boxes of mochi in one sitting. Her normal state surprised Kenji."She’s---or he calm because she’s very smart." Akiko placed the book she had been reading on the table and moved her hand to her belly, which had finally shown significant change. It appeared as though it had been hidden, and once Akiko became aware of it, it began to grow rapidly."Smart? How?" Kenji, who had been sitting cross-legged near the window, scooted closer and placed his hand on Akiko&
“What happened?!”Yuto shouted as he approached Karin, who was pacing in front of the ER—holding Kenzo, who was fast asleep in her arms. She was alone. There was no sign of Kaname nearby, not even in the distance.“Okaa-san, she suddenly collapsed. I don’t understand why. She... she was scolding me about the bad food I made, and then she just collapsed.”Karin spoke while tears streamed down her face. She sobbed and rushed into Yuto’s arms, but he held her shoulders and pushed her back slightly. With just two fingers—his index and thumb—as if brushing off something disgusting.“What are you doing? There’s no one here.” Yuto looked around. The area in front of the ER was quiet. They didn’t need to put on a show for anyone. Yuto wouldn’t touch her if he could help it.“I...,” Karin wanted to pretend she needed comfort, but Yuto would never give it. So she
"Ken, don't eat that!"Kaede turned when she heard the shout. She saw Karin rushing toward Kenzo, who was crawling across the tatami mat, trying to put a red Lego piece into his mouth. Karin lifted him from the floor, snatching the Lego, now wet with drool, from his hand."He's so clever. I just left him for a moment, and he's already off on an adventure." Kaede smiled happily as she approached her assistant to collect the letter."Ken will choke if this keeps up." Karin's tone was neutral, but it was clearly a complaint.Kaede had said she'd look after Ken while cooking but had easily left him on the floor, as though abandoning her responsibility."Are you scolding me?" Kaede looked at Karin, who was now placing her grandson beside the dozens of toys scattered across the floor."No, Okaa-san." Karin bowed before starting to remove the numerous toys that could pose a risk to Kenzo's safety.Kaede didn't consider whether the toys were su
Kenji gazed at the paper he was holding, pondering over its potential use. He remained deep in thought until Ryu suddenly burst into the room.“It’s out! The results are in!” Ryu exclaimed, waving a white envelope.“You could have sent it to me. Why did you come all the way back to Osaka?” Kenji asked, surprised.“I had some business here, so I figured I’d drop it off. Hurry! Open it!” Ryu urged him, gesturing toward the envelope he handed Kenji.“You didn’t open it?” Kenji reached for a letter opener and tore through the sealed flap. He had assumed Ryu would have peeked at the results.“No, I wanted to see it with you. Hurry up!” Ryu said, growing impatient.“I told you, I was right,” Kenji said as he unfolded the paper inside and smiled after reading it.His confidence was fully justified—the envelope’s contents confirmed his suspicio
The sound of the choir on stage echoed melodiously through the spacious room at the Nakamura Foundation’s event hall.It was a special event to celebrate the retirement of the foundation's chairman. He was retiring early to assume his new role as the Minister of Education, so it was a well-earned celebration.No one in the room or on stage wore a gloomy face. Everyone was filled with joy because the chairman’s achievement represented a new level of success. Kaname Nakamura had successfully brought the Nakamura family and the foundation to greater heights.This achievement garnered widespread praise and brightened the future of the foundation, especially with Kaname’s successor, Yuto, who was expected to surpass his father, bringing fresh ideas to the field of education.Yuto had already made the school the most prestigious, with more than two-thirds of its students excelling academically. No dark clouds loomed in their future.
Ryu grabbed Kyoko's neck and kissed her passionately, without hesitation, feeling immensely happy. Kyoko didn't resist at all. Ryu kept pulling her body closer."You better let go of my hand right now. Before you lose your nose and lips."Ryu's eyes flew open at once, as the voice he heard was deep—not Kyoko's voice. What he saw was not Kyoko. It was Kenji, lying beside Ryu, staring at him in disgust.Meanwhile, Kenji's arm was in Ryu's grasp, slightly wet. It was clear what had fallen victim to Ryu's dream and lips—Kenji's arm."WHAA!" Ryu screamed in horror, pushing Kenji's face away and rolling away from him."What... Why are you..."Ryu sat up and looked around. They were in his room—not some strange place like a hotel or motel. Kenji was still fully dressed, whereas Ryu wasn't."Where are my clothes? Why are you here?!" Ryu asked, panicked, pointing at Kenji while looking for and finally finding his t-shirt lying not f
Kenji glanced around, squinting in the dim surroundings. A few people stared at him—understandably so, as he towered over the others. Those who recognized him bowed immediately, pausing their movements, ignoring the pulsating music.The club wasn't far from Kuryugumi's main house, so it was no surprise some people knew him. However, Kenji did not reciprocate their gestures or show any concern. His focus was on one person he had been looking for.That person stood surrounded by at least three women, laughing as they offered him drinks."I haven't seen you like this in a long time," Kenji said."Hey! You came! Look!" Ryu shouted excitedly, raising his glass—likely filled with brandy judging by its color. Ryu, walking unsteadily, rushed toward Kenji and clung to his shoulder."Look who's here, everyone! Isn't he handsome? This is one of my friends."Ryu proudly introduced Kenji to the women who quickly gathered around him. Some of t
"What's going on with them?" Kyoko asked Akiko, glancing at Kenji and Ryu, who hadn't spoken to each other during breakfast.Now that the breakfast table had been cleared, Kenji still hadn’t said a word to Ryu—or vice versa.Usually, even if it was just a question about work or plans for the afternoon, they would talk. They never stayed silent like this. Akiko noticed it too. Yui was as quiet as usual, but Kenji and Ryu seemed odd."Did you two have a fight?" Akiko asked, sipping her tea and looking back and forth between Kenji and Ryu."Yes.""No."Kenji said yes, while Ryu said no. The two contradictory responses only made it clearer that something was going on between them.Ryu angrily glared at Kenji, to which Kenji responded with a defiant look."What? I'm just being honest," Kenji shrugged."Since when have you cared about being honest?! Choose the right time to be honest!" Ryu snapped."I was ju
"Are you leaving?" Akiko inquired, observing that Kenji was still wearing his shirt, even though his jacket had been removed. He clearly wasn't ready to sleep yet.Akiko herself was already under the covers. Today had been exhausting for her, especially after experiencing such extreme emotional shifts from fear to joy."Yes, I need to talk to Ryu. There are some work adjustments I need to discuss with him," Kenji said, sitting beside Akiko."Should I stay with you until you fall asleep? I can postpone it," Kenji offered, noticing the disappointment in her eyes.Akiko thought for a moment, then nodded. She did want that."But are you sure it's okay? Whatever you need to discuss with Ryu, can it wait?" Akiko asked.Kenji nodded. "Of course it can. If it was something urgent that couldn’t wait, I'd ask Kyoko or Yui to come stay with you. But this can wait."Kenji grabbed a pillow and placed it beside Akiko, who was lying down