Vol. 5 Chapter 6.1

Translated by SoundDestiny Edited by SoundDestiny

Tokyo lovey-dovey

A 24-hour bowling alley.

In the game corner next to the lanes, my sister and I were engrossed in an air hockey game.

The time had passed by 21:00.

We honestly weren’t concerned about the score.

In general, there’s no logical reason for me to beat my sister.

Her athletic ability is on a completely different level. Moreover, when my sister unleashes her abilities, nobody can defeat her. And worst of all, my sister is quite immature.

“So… why do you think Fumio is suspicious?”

That’s what I ask.

Not my sister. It’s to the guy with long hair playing air hockey with a girl at the adjacent table.

Wearing a lightweight short-sleeved summer hoodie with the hood pulled up, he stops his hands and puts on a sycophantic smile.

“Well….it’s not just suspicious. It’s more than that. He used to be a mere target of bullying until not long ago. But in the blink of an eye, those who used to bully him fell from grace and all the girls started fawning over him.”

“Well… he doesn’t seem like the type who would attract attention, no matter how you look at it. But is that all? Maybe he’s just going through a phase of popularity.”

“Popularity, huh… well, aside from that guy Kijima, I was actually kidnapped somewhere and went through a terrible experience. I wonder if the track and field incident is the same.”

“The pig monster, was it?”

“Yes… I’d rather not remember, though.”

This guy’s story, which looks flimsy at a glance, contains a lot of lies but the part about the pig monster isn’t a lie.

In the first place, there are two reasons I bought into this story from a guy who’s clearly full of lies.

It’s a chance for us, the detective JKs, to further make our name known by solving the trending 『Excessive Disappearance Incident』 on the internet.

And the other reason is…we found out from this guy’s story that there seems to be a 『Devil』 involved.

As someone blessed by an angel’s favour, I can’t overlook it.

“It’s probably right that the track and field club is the same. In fact, almost everyone in the club has fallen into the hands of the kidnapper. Whether they can’t remember like you or if their mouths are sealed, I don’t know, but it’s safe to say they’re under some kind of mental control”

“No way!?”

The one who raised her voice was the girl who was competing against Tachioka. She had cute twin tails and looked like a junior high school student. She’s Tachioka’s sister, apparently.

“W-well… I have friends in the track and field club. Like Sato-chan, Shiratori-senpai, and Kei-chan…”

“Hmm…”

I pondered, considering my next move.

I’ve entrusted my sister with monitoring the ponytailed track and field club captain. She’s all in black. Somewhere, there should be a moment when she comes into contact with the culprit.

And it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have this little sister investigate the girls whose names came up now.

But there’s someone else I want to meet more than anyone.

“The woman accused of a crime, did you say her name was Anna Kamishima? Any idea where she might be?”

In response, Tachioka shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

“I don’t know. However…I have located the whereabouts of her younger sister. She’s working at a girls’ bar called 『Seaside Bound』 in a neighbouring prefecture.”

“Hmm… Well, maybe I should start by paying a visit to that sister then.”

×××

Second day of summer vacation.

After finishing the morning radio callisthenics and taking a shower, I headed to the station for a 『return visit』 where I met up with Kurosawa-san on the bullet train platform.

“Good morning, Fumi-kun!”

She came running over with a suitcase in hand, wearing oversized sunglasses, an off-shoulder top and high-waisted skinny pants.

As expected of a model, she looked incredibly stylish in her casual attire.

“Good morning, Kurosawa-san…you look really cute.”

“Ehehe… It’s a trip to Tokyo with you, Fumi-kun. I’ve got to put in some effort for that.”

“A trip…but isn’t it a photoshoot? Yours, Kurosawa-san?”

Indeed. The purpose of this trip to Tokyo is for Kurosawa-san’s photoshoot for a teen magazine. I’m accompanying her.

“It’s fine. Today and tomorrow, I get to have Fumi-kun all to myself. Let’s just call it a trip, okay?, okay! Look, the bullet train is about to leave soon.”

Saying that, she linked her arm with mine and started walking towards the stationary bullet train.

Our seats were in the last row of the regular carriages. Kurosawa-san pushed me into a window seat of a two-seater and then leaned heavily against me.

“You’re like a bag of mice, Fumi-kun!”

[an idiom in Japanese that humorously describes someone as being overly cautious, timid, or jumpy.]

“Close, so close, our faces are so close!”

“Thinking that we can be all lovey-dovey without worrying about anyone for the next two hours really gets me excited.”

“Lovey-dovey…but the bullet train is almost full, isn’t it?”

I can see young businessmen sitting in the three-seater seats across the aisle, trying to act like they’re not looking but clearly curious, leaning in with interest.

“Speaking of which…don’t you need to disguise yourself?”

When I asked that, she chuckled.

“Wearing sunglasses should be enough. Besides, I don’t think I’m that famous. Probably just among readers who are high school girls. They would know about me.”

“But still…”

“It’s fine, Fu-mi-ku-n. Don’t be so worried. Let me be spoiled.”

When there’s no one we know around, the tsun part of her tsundere personality seems to disappear somewhere, and the current Kurosawa-san is all dere, completely affectionate. It’s a grand dere.

Her chest against my upper arm, her lips planting kisses on my cheek and her fingers playing with my nipple through my clothes.

“I love you, love you, mmm…let’s keep kissing, Fumi-kun. I’m lonely…”

‘Oh no…she can’t reason like this….’

From the initial brainwashing stage, Lili had mentioned that Kurosawa-san becomes extremely clingy when we’re alone and it’s true in bed but I never expected it to extend to our everyday life like this.

Anyway, I gently ask Kurosawa-san.

“Today… do you think they’ll come?”

“I asked the editor in charge, but…today’s shoot is with Hikami Kirito and Akira Mitsuki together, so I think… they’ll come.”

In fact, this trip to Tokyo was something I requested of Kurosawa-san to accompany her.

There are a few reasons for this.

Firstly, I just wanted to go to Tokyo. It’s a dream of a country person.

Secondly, I’m curious to see a model’s photoshoot in action. It’s a bit of shallow interest.

Thirdly, once I’ve visited, from now on, whenever Kurosawa-san has work in Tokyo, I can use 『Revisit』 to instantly transport us there.

And the main purpose is to fulfil a promise with someone.

“So, this is Hikari-kun, and this is Akira-chan.”

Kurosawa-san takes a magazine out of her bag, flips through the pages, and points to the two individuals.

The male has a somewhat handsome half-like appearance. Yeah, an enemy. One could even say an enemy of humanity.

On the other hand, the girl has mushroom-like blond hair and her makeup, which could be described as Ulzzang-style, including overly vibrant lipstick, accompanied her smile.

[TL: In japanese it’s called Oruchanmeiku;in katakana but in English it is Ulzzang-style; a Korean fashion and makeup trend that is characterised by: glass, milky white skin. youthful, big eyes]

“…Kurosawa-san is cuter. No doubt about it.”

“Nfu, Fumi-kyun, you’re too much…”

‘I get that you’re happy, but please stop pinching my nipple, Kurosawa-san.’

“Are these two also reader models?”

“No, they’re different. These two are professional models.”

According to Kurosawa-san’s explanation, when it comes to reader models, it generally refers to fashionable ordinary people not affiliated with an agency who appear in the magazine.

These two aren’t like that, they are professional models as a profession.

However, not all reader models are regular people. Some so-called 『talent eggs』 start as reader models and become more established.

And it seems that Kurosawa-san follows precisely that pattern.

Her agency is a small-time entertainment agency and reader model jobs are typically done without the agency’s involvement.

Moreover, the compensation is a modest token, including transportation expenses at best and it seems like the expenses often outweigh the earnings.

So, why does she continue with such work? In a word, it’s for the future.

For the female fashion magazine 『CUTIE☆CUTIE』 which primarily targets teenage girls, MISUZU is the flagship reader model.

After graduating, she plans to leverage the popularity gained as a reader model to enter full-fledged talent activities.

“…Impressive, Kurosawa-san. Thinking about the future and putting in effort from now on… it’s kind of like what adults do.”

I used to think that modelling was something frivolous, to be honest.

As I couldn’t help but be impressed, Kurosawa-san smiled and said,

“Fumi-kyun’s dick is more than an adult’s.”

“And you ruined it!”

×××

After arriving in Tokyo, we transferred to a local train and made our way to the building where the studio was located, then turned into an alley behind it.

And in a place hidden from view, I summoned a door and stepped into the 『room』.

“Well, I’ll go change now.”

“Want me to coordinate for you?”

“If Kurosawa-san does the coordinating, it’ll end up stylish. But since we’re in disguise, it’s better to look a bit sloppy.”

“Um, Fumi-kun, you’re going to be my new rookie manager, right?”

“That’s right, treated as Kurosawa-san’s lackey of a manager. Not seen as the opposite sex but someone you like to tease and boss around. Please act that way.”

“You’re asking for quite a lot.”

“You’re aiming to be an actress, aren’t you? You’ll be fine.”

“Y-Yeah…I’ll do my best, but not being seen as the opposite sex, that’s a bit challenging.”

Though she looks somewhat troubled, if Kurosawa-san returns to her previous attitude towards me, it should be alright. I’m sure of it.

Soon, after changing clothes for a while, Kurosawa-san, seeing me emerge from the 『costume room』 burst into laughter.

“Gyahahahahahahaha!”

She held her stomach and rolled on the floor laughing.

A baggy navy suit, a loose-fitting shirt. An unnecessarily bright red tie and round glasses. A bit more slouched than usual. I’m clearly a dull salaryman.

“They exist! You know, people like this! Probably buys lunch at the convenience store every day, looks at marriage agency ads, likely enjoys trains. Oh, and all his friends probably wear glasses too,and he’s the type to have a kotatsu and a fan in his room regardless of the season!”

‘Well, Kurosawa-san, you have a lot of apologising to do in different directions!’

Taking a deep breath and wiping away a tear that welled up at the corner of her eye with her finger, Kurosawa-san finally speaks.

“No…this is a gem. The vibe that makes me want to tease you is incredible.”

“…Please act accordingly.”

With that, we exit the 『room』 and head to the studio again.

Taking the elevator to the fourth floor. After announcing our visit through the intercom at the entrance, we step into the studio.

“Good morning!”

As soon as we entered the studio, Kurosawa-san raised her voice and bent over with a big gesture. I quickly followed suit and bowed my head.

Looking around, there were more people than I had imagined.

An elderly female photographer and two male assistants, presumably.

A woman who seemed like a stylist.

A well-built man in his fifties wearing a double-breasted suit.

A beautiful girl who seemed like a model, and a tall, slender handsome man who also appeared to be a model.

These two were Akira Mitsuki and Hikami Kirito, the ones I saw in the magazine earlier.

However, Akira Mitsuki looked quite different from the magazine photos. That mushroom cut was probably a wig. Her hair was long and delicate-looking. At the very least, she looked cuter than in the photos I saw earlier.

‘Though, Kurosawa-san is way cuter!’

“Kimeta-san.”

Kurosawa-san called out and the woman who was closest to us approached with a smile.

“Yahhoo! Long time no see, Misuzu-chan! I was worried about you!”

With hair down to her shoulders, a young woman with freckles on her nose greeted us. She wore a girly dress and had a round face with a warm and friendly aura.

“Sorry for causing you trouble.”

“Trouble? Oh, no worries. Seriously! Don’t take this the wrong way, but Misuzu-chan’s return has been a source of excitement, even for the editor-in-chief. You’re our flagship reader model after all. This time, we’re going to have you on the cover too!”

“The cover!? Oh, thank you. Hey, Fumijima, you too, bow your head, quickly! Seriously, you’re such a drag!”

“Uh, thank you!”

Kurosawa-san grabbed my head and forcefully made me bow.

“Nn? And who’s this person?”

“Aa, I’m sorry. Let me introduce him since he’s technically my manager. Come on, Fumijima, give a proper greeting, you slacker.”

Kurosawa-san kicked my foot with her toe. It really hurt.

‘Wait, this is acting, right? Right?’

“Pleased to meet you. I, um, am Fumijima Sajio, the manager of MISUZU under Modero Planning.”

“Hello there! I’m Sameta Yasuko from the Morita Publishing editing department. Feel free to call me Pompoko.”

“P-Pompoko-san?”

As I made a puzzled expression, she smiled brightly.

“See, if you read my last name backward, it’s 『tanuki』.”

‘…Well, speaking of which, she does kind of look like a tanuki.’

“Ah, by the way, who’s that over there?”

I directed my gaze at the man wearing a double-breasted suit. He looked like a strong-willed middle-aged guy.

“Oh, that’s President Kurashima from the First Beauty Office”

“First Beauty, the industry giant!?”

I exaggeratedly feigned surprise.

“Yes, it seems that Akira-chan is personally produced by the president himself…”

“T-Then, I’d really like to introduce myself to him.”

As I lowered my head to greet him with a humble nod, President Kurashima simply nodded in response.

Indifferent to my gesture, he took my business card and casually tossed it into his pocket without offering his own.

As the photo shoot began, I found myself idle. I absentmindedly watched the proceedings from a corner of the studio and it seemed quite challenging. Not the actual photography process but dealing with the strong-willed old man.

Today’s shoot was for the cover and a feature page with three friends, both male and female. Despite being a reader model, Kurosawa’s popularity in 『CUTIE☆CUTIE』 was unrivalled.

Furthermore, with the added topic of her return from the kidnapping incident, the focus of the shoot naturally centred around Kurosawa.

However, President Kurashima frequently interjected with his opinions.

『Focus on our Akira!』 or 『Make sure she appears on the cover!』 He disrupted the shoot multiple times with his domineering demands.

Surprisingly, Pompoko-san was staunchly resisting this.

In reality, despite being the president, it was inappropriate for the modelling agency to intervene in editorial matters, so Pompoko-san’s resistance was justified.

The clashes between President Kurashima and Pompoko-san occurred repeatedly, significantly delaying the shoot.

“If you’re going to demand that, why don’t you work with a different agency?”

Though I believe Pompoko-san’s outburst might have escalated the situation, she raised her voice in genuine frustration.

In the tense atmosphere on the verge of confrontation, Hikami Kirito intervened, saying, 『Come on, President…We would be in trouble if we lost Morita Publishing’s business』 and managed to appease the president, allowing us to somehow complete the shoot.

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