Chapter 52: Cut Him Down!

From what he knew of Yuta Irie, what had just happened was extremely unusual. First, it had always been him who called in advance, stating the amount, and only then would Yuta Irie arrive with the money. Then, based on his understanding of the yakuza culture, having already completed several transactions with the Shindo Group, if Yuma Nara were to take the shopping vouchers under the group's name and refuse to pay, that would be an act of sheer recklessness—almost as if he didn’t care about losing a finger. Why risk so much for a mere two hundred thousand yen in vouchers?

Moreover, if their encounter was truly by chance, why did he ask if there were any vouchers? He was cautious when returning with him, yet when leaving, he swaggered off arrogantly, showing no concern for his surroundings. When he discovered there really were shopping vouchers, why did he look so stunned?

Finally, Yuta Irie would never send his underlings over without first confirming whether there were vouchers.

So, something was definitely wrong. Very wrong.

Tao Zhiming sat down and loosened his tie.

“What should we do now? Will we get the money tomorrow?” Yosuke Ueno asked anxiously.

“…Don’t worry, we’ll definitely get it.”

“But you still look worried!” Yosuke pressed.

“What happened?” Runa Onodera emerged from her room just then.

Tao Zhiming glanced at her and asked with a smile, “Did you get a facial today?”

“…Yes.” Runa quietly brought over a glass of water and knelt beside him. “I’ve been following your instructions, Tao.”

“Very good, keep it up.” After encouraging her, Tao asked thoughtfully, “Have you noticed anything unusual these past two days?”

“What?” Yosuke looked confused. “What do you mean, unusual?”

“Anything at all—something that felt off when you were going out or coming back,” Tao’s eyes glinted.

The first thing that came to mind was Yuma Nara’s strange behavior earlier.

Everything he had said made logical sense, but it simply wasn’t like Yuma Nara to act that way. The first time they met, he was just an impulsive, hot-headed youth. Now, he seemed composed, even asking what time Tao would leave tomorrow.

It sounded as if he intended to bring the money before then, but he didn’t say it explicitly and left in a hurry. His dramatic “stay on your guard” and the conversation at the door—looking back, the expression and tone seemed like a poor performance.

So yes—there was a problem, a very big one.

“If you mean something like that…” Runa Onodera began, “when I went out at noon, since you told me to mainly take taxis from now on, I was waiting for one. I saw a taxi parked there, with the driver inside, but he ignored me.”

“Maybe he was eating lunch from a convenience store or waiting for a customer he’d already arranged to pick up?” Yosuke suggested.

“No, I asked him. He said he was just taking a break,” Runa replied. “After I got into another taxi and left, I happened to see that same car drive by empty a little later, then turn onto another street.”

Tao looked at her and asked, “How are you sure it was the same car?”

“Because the driver looked at me as he passed. I recognized him—after all, I’d spoken to him.”

Tao pondered, then asked Yosuke, “What about you?”

“…I didn’t notice anything. I’ve been at information sessions these past two days. By the way, how much did you make at Nomura Securities today?”

“You’ll get your twenty percent, don’t worry.” Seeing Yosuke like this, Tao guessed he really wouldn’t notice anything unusual around him, so he turned back to Runa. “Anything else?”

Runa shook her head. “It just felt strange at the time, which is why I remembered it now.”

“…I see.” Noticing her concerned gaze, Tao’s heart softened. He smiled and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

“Tao… did you think of something?” Runa had noticed his furrowed brow ever since she saw him, and now it finally relaxed as he gently questioned her. Her heart warmed.

Tao considered for a moment before replying, “It’s nothing. I just thought of a few possibilities, but I’ll need to wait for confirmation.”

“It must be something to do with that yakuza guy from earlier, right?” Yosuke asked.

Tao glanced at him and said, “You actually managed to get the vouchers today? You’re getting better and better…”

The tone made Yosuke feel awkward. Wasn’t it always the other way around, with him encouraging and affirming Tao?

Tao’s mind split between chatting with Yosuke and Runa and pondering the doubts that had surfaced.

What was Yuta Irie really trying to tell him through all this?

…

Upon returning home, Kana Ueda was met, as expected, by a furious Shizuko Kawashima.

“Unbelievable! The nerve!” Shizuko furiously hurled a pillow. “That Tao! How dare he speak to me like that? We already broke up! What revenge? What stalking? Who does he think he is? Kana, why did you stay and have dinner with him?”

Kana frowned. “Did you want to go through the hassle of finding another place for dinner?”

“But he humiliated me!” Shizuko roared. “And he humiliated you, too! He was the one who invited us, yet he made you pay! Why weren’t you angry? I waited at the door for five minutes—five minutes!—and you didn’t come out!”

“…But wasn’t I right? He really has changed, hasn’t he? He’s not like how you described him. That’s why I was curious what he wanted with me.”

“So what did he want?” Shizuko found it hard to imagine Tao seeking out Kana for any serious reason. After all, he used to act as though he was the center of the universe. “Don’t tell me he kept talking about me, now that you’ve told him we’re friends—just to vent about me!”

Kana recalled what Tao had said and watched Shizuko’s reaction, smiling as she replied, “No, after you left, he didn’t mention you again. He wanted to talk about the future. It seems he’s about to start working at Nomura Securities and wanted my help with something.”

“Nomura Securities?” Shizuko was stunned. “Tao? He can get into a big firm like Nomura Securities?”

“That’s what he said, at least.” Kana yawned. “I thought he seemed mature and dependable, so maybe you two might get back together. But that’s just me being nosy. I’m tired—I’m going to wash up and go to bed.”

She stepped out, glancing back to see Shizuko’s face shifting through a storm of emotions.

That guy Tao really had predicted her reaction—clearly, she did care about what he’d say about her.

Kana couldn’t help but wonder: did Shizuko truly have another side she didn’t know about?

But once she entered the bathroom, Tao’s exasperated expression floated into her mind.

Stripping to the waist and swinging a sword in front of her!

That annoying guy!

Kana found herself even more curious.

Didn’t Shizuko say he was terribly dull and timid, never daring to speak or act out—which is why she broke up with him?

Then how could he be bold enough to grab her hand like that?

Kana cranked the water on full and scrubbed her hands vigorously.

If he tried that again, she’d cut him down!

Still, he really was impressive… How did he so accurately predict Shizuko’s reaction?