Chapter Fifty-Two: The Mobile Phone

Because of Saori Amamiya’s frank confession, Anho no longer held the hostility he once did toward her.

The two chatted for a while longer, during which Anho finally learned the reason Saori had called him out today.

Looking at the girl before him—her face still streaked with tears, yet her head held high and chest thrust out with an expression that all but shouted “I’m amazing, hurry up and praise me”—Anho’s mouth twitched in disbelief as he asked, “Are you saying you gave another yakuza boss a hundred million yen because you wanted her to smooth things over with the café incident for me?”

“That’s right!” Saori replied, lifting her chin with pride.

She had been keeping track of Anho’s movements for some time now, so the moment the café trouble broke out, she received word immediately.

Anho wanted to scold her for being reckless with money, but when he remembered she’d done it to help him, he didn’t have the heart to say it.

Still, he couldn’t understand why Saori, who had a zero favorability toward him, would go out of her way to help.

Perhaps noticing the confusion in his eyes, Saori turned away with a dismissive snort. “I wasn’t helping you. If I weren’t worried you’d drag my sister down with you, I wouldn’t give you a second glance.”

Hearing this, Anho fell silent.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever; as long as Kusunoki Kurorai’s problems remained unresolved, it was only a matter of time before those people came looking for him. He’d foreseen this, which was why he was so desperate to help Kusunoki pay off her remaining debt as soon as possible.

After a long silence, Anho offered his genuine thanks.

“Thank you. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

Saori only gave a soft laugh, not taking his words to heart. After all, a hundred million yen was no small sum—even for her, it had taken years to save up that much. As for Anho, who only worked part-time, how much could he possibly earn in a month?

Seeing that Anho had already guessed her identity, Saori dispensed with the pretense. She reached into a small bag beside her and placed a pink flip phone on the table.

Noticing Anho’s curiosity, Saori’s cheeks flushed and she looked away, her explanation a bit awkward. “I noticed my sister still doesn’t have a phone. My dad just got me a new one, so I thought I’d give her my old one.”

As if worried Anho would look down on it for being used, she hastily added, “I only used it for half a month—it’s practically brand new.”

Before Anho could say anything, the ever-present narrator in his mind spoke up first.

A little liar, the narrator mused, pretending it’s about the phone when all she really wants is for her sister to feel her presence. That “only half a month” line is transparent enough to see through. Still, since she cares so much about her sister, why not take advantage? Saori might be interested in some of her sister’s other belongings too. As it happens, you’re still carrying the very pair of underwear Saori’s sister changed out of at noon today...

Hearing the narrator’s assessment, Anho kept his expression calm as he reached into his pocket. But when his fingers brushed against a piece of silky fabric, his heart gave a jolt.

I’m sure I put those in the laundry basket in the bathroom! he screamed inwardly, though his face betrayed nothing as he instead picked up the pink phone to examine it.

The phone looked fairly new, but some of the buttons showed signs of wear—not quite what you’d expect from only half a month’s use.

Saori watched nervously as Anho inspected the phone.

She’d actually used the phone for almost three years, but hadn’t replaced it because it held so many photos of her sister, Sagu Amamiya. Lately, she’d been hearing some unpleasant rumors at school about herself and her sister, but due to her father, she couldn’t explain or send anyone to clarify.

So she’d come up with this plan: give her sister her old phone, as a peace offering to show she didn’t dislike her at all. It was a way to express her feelings, help her sister who had no phone, and maybe even secretly call her now and then—a plan with benefits all around.

But for it to work, her sister had to accept the phone. That’s why Saori looked at Anho with such hope. After all, he was the only one who could make her sister smile.

In the end, Anho nodded and agreed to Saori’s request.

If Sagu knew her little sister had never really hated her, she’d surely be happy.

He slipped the phone into another pocket, and seeing the relief on Saori’s face, he couldn’t help but smile.

With her goal accomplished, Saori had no reason to linger. She stood, preparing to leave.

Anho, seeing her favorability was still only at three, didn’t try to stop her. As Saori turned away, he called out, “Don’t forget to pay for this. I need to save my money for treats for Sagu.”

At his words, Saori froze, then stomped her foot hard before heading straight to the counter to settle the bill, not once looking back.

Watching her twin golden ponytails bounce with each step and her slender legs sheathed in white stockings, Anho let out a quiet whistle and left as well.

Because he’d been delayed for over half an hour, it was already two in the afternoon by the time he arrived at the hotel where Kusunoki Kurorai was staying.

After parking, Anho made his way upstairs and found Kusunoki’s room with practiced ease.

He knocked, but when there was no answer, he called out, “Kusunoki, are you in there?”

Before he’d finished, the door opened to reveal Kusunoki Kurorai herself.

Today she wore the same Mickey-colored trench coat and white turtleneck sweater as yesterday, but had swapped her jeans for a black pencil skirt.

Anho’s gaze swept over her long, shapely legs wrapped in black stockings before he turned to her fully, noting the sunglasses and mask that nearly concealed her face. He smiled, “Kusunoki, you don’t need the mask anymore.”

“Why not?” she asked, puzzled, but still removed the mask and glasses, revealing her delicate features.

Anho ushered her inside and spent half an hour recounting everything that had happened.

Though she now bore more debt, Kusunoki was flushed with excitement at the thought of no longer needing to hide. Her eyes sparkled with emotion.

After a few more minutes, the two set out together for the Serizawa family home.

On the way, Kusunoki, sitting behind Anho and holding his waist, fell silent for a long while before finally speaking.

“Anho-kun.”

“Yes?” His voice was muffled by his helmet.

She hesitated, then asked, “With Sagu... are you two actually dating?”