Chapter 193: Even Novels Did Not Go That Far!
Chapter 193: Even Novels Did Not Go That Far!
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Kimura Kazuki’s puzzled look quickly changed to a look of comprehension as he listened to Officer Otake’s narration.
According to Ryo Otake, Mikami Kotone had four boyfriends when she was still alive, as well as Ikioi Ito as her spare. Thus, to call her a cheater would not be an overstatement at all, not to mention the fact that neither of the four boyfriends had been aware of the other three’s existence. It was actually really unimaginable how Mikami Kotone managed to maintain four relationships simultaneously while flirting with Ikioi Ito.
As for the victim discovered today, her name was Ritsuko Yasuhara, 27 years old, and had an average white-collar job.
Ritsuko Yasuhara’s relationship status was even more absurd than that of Mikami Kotone and could also be considered frightening as she had seven boyfriends. Even novels did not go that far! She was pretty much a female protagonist in a reverse harem... Of course, this situation differed from novels and television shows, whereby all seven of them were unaware of the existence of the others.
All seven of them had been dating Ritsuko Yasuhara daily, conversing for long hours on the phone, being highly intimate with each other. The police had only been made aware of Ritsuko Yasuhara’s death after each of her seven boyfriends received a picture of her death and called the police. Only then did they break into her residence to see that she was already dead.
This was also one of the reasons why Ryo Otake was certain that Mikami Kotone and Ritsuko Yasuhara had died by the hands of the same person... Or rather, by the hands of the same demon.
This demon seemed to hold a strong grudge specifically against female cheaters. Otherwise, it would not have only targeted females. After all, there were plenty of scumbag males to go around as well. Additionally, judging from the information they had obtained using the Seven Emotions Tracking Spell at the Natsume home, the demon was identified to be a female too...
Could it be that the demon had ties with cheaters during her lifetime?
Kimura Kazuki did not request for the victim’s picture from Ryo Otake. If the demon was capable of operating through the internet, it would possibly be able to hack into his phone as well. This demon’s ability made it absolutely the skilled hacker there was. Thus, he merely informed Ryo Otake that he would be going to the scene immediately.
However, the death of Ritsuko Yasuhara did manage to clear the suspicion laid on him. He had been busy attending the district qualifiers when the crime had been committed, and that was all he needed to prove that he was innocent. Hanging up the phone, Kimura Kazuki did not go to Reimei District immediately. Instead, he went to the resting room, which was rather crowded at the moment. Aside from Mr. Matsumura and the Kendo Association members, Natsui, Akino, and Fuyuno were present too. They had all seen Harunaka’s state just now after the duel, so as sisters, it was only natural that they were concerned and came over immediately.
Harunaka was in bed, looking at the people surrounding her with a smudge of worry in her eyes. Noticing her senior entering, she suddenly recalled something that made her eyes brighten up as she tried to sit up. Yet, the slightest movement in her agony-stricken body made her groan.
She did not feel much just now and merely thought that it was exhaustion from over-exertion that would render her arms sore for a few days. However, the doctor had told her that she had suffered muscle damage all over her body and prescribed proper rest for a few days. In the event of inadequate recuperation, she could be susceptible to other diseases.
Harunaka had implored the doctor if it would affect her performance at the Jade Dragon Flag National Competition, and the doctor’s hesitant answer made her heart drop. Her spirits plummeted, and no matter how the others tried to comfort her, she still seemed a little absent-minded and blur. Yet, upon seeing her senior and recalling some of his capabilities, her eyes could not help glowing with expectation glowing as she looked at him.
“Kimura-Kun, Furuhashi-san’s body isn’t in good condition.”
Kimura Kazuki had just entered the room when he was dragged aside by Mr. Matsumura. Hearing his worry-laden tone and upon understanding the situation slightly, he smiled slightly and said, “Don’t worry, teacher, I happen to know some home remedies passed down in my family. Harunaka’s body won’t affect her during the national round. Seven days of rest will be sufficient.”
“Are you sure?” Mr. Matsumura was thrilled. He did not doubt for a second the truth in Kimura Kazuki’s words since he had no reason to lie, but still, he said quietly, “If the remedy does harm to the body, I believe we should still prioritize Furuhashi-san’s body. Also... I hope your body’s doing fine.” Since Furuhashi-san was practically immobile on the bed right now, he could not help but worry about Kimura Kazuki’s physical state.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Kimura Kazuki reassured him, “The home remedy passed down in my family is sufficient to heal Harunaka’s injuries.”
It was apparent that if Harunaka were to be able to enter the competition, there would be a high possibility of her seizing the gold medal in the female division. By then, Mr. Matsumara’s resume would be decorated with another significant stroke of achievement. Yet even under such temptation, he prioritized his student’s physical state, showing his concern as a good teacher.
With this thought in mind, Kimura Kazuki came to Harunaka’s bedside. He looked at Harunaka, who was still lying on the bed and grinned, “How are you feeling?”
“Not too bad,” Harunaka answered honestly. For some reason, she could feel that her senior’s attitude toward her had changed slightly... although the change was a pleasant one.
Of course, she was naturally unaware of how Kimura Kazuki had been worried about her being eliminated during the national competition. However, now that Harunaka had a comprehension of sword power, their chances of winning the Jade Dragon Flag National Competition was practically certain as long as they treated the competition seriously and cautiously.
More importantly, Harunaka had managed to comprehend sword power and unleash her talents within a mere month. As someone who had been paying close attention to her problems and carefully explaining sword styles to her during the whole period, her achievement today evoked a sense of pride that came with finally seeing his apprentice succeed.
Not too bad?
Kimura Kazuki chuckled to himself. Not only had Harunaka over-exerted her physical capacity, but she also had over-exerted her entire body, so she obviously could not have been feeling great right now. Judging by the look of worry on Natsui and the other two, he could tell that the doctor’s diagnosis was definitely not a good one.
As he thought of this, he held Harunaka’s hand in front of everyone else.
The touch of warmth shocked Harunaka for a moment, and immediately after, her cheeks reddened. She did not expect her senior to be this bold...
Watching the scene unfold, everyone else had a weird look on their faces as well.
Observing this, Mr. Matsumura hollered, “That’s it, let’s not linger in the resting room any longer, it’s making the room all stuffy. We should leave Furuhashi-san to rest.” Within a minute, everyone was herded out.
However, Natsui and the others remained in the room. They were sisters after all, so Mr. Matsumura had no good reason to shoo them out either.
Natsui gazed at her senior, then at Harunaka, and then to their adjoined hands... Her expression was one of confusion. Since when had the two of them get this close? Fuyuno stared intently as he pondered something. Moments later, she questioned softly, “Kimura-senpai, are you treating Harunaka’s injuries?”
Before Kimura Kazuki could reply, Akino spoke in an intrigued tone, “Could this be... Are you taking her pulse? Senpai, you’ve learned traditional Chinese medical science before?”
Fuyuno let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
“Keep quiet.” Before Kimura Kazuki could speak, Harunaka had already chimed in as she gave Akino a quick glare.
When Kimura-senpai had initially held her hand all of a sudden, she had been somewhat flustered.
However, when she felt threads of cooling energy entering her body, spreading a pleasant numbness in her muscles, she felt extremely comfortable as she thought her torn muscles being mended slowly.
It was indeed an extraordinary experience.