Chapter 5: No Matter What, You'll Be Freed!

Miyajima Mari was Hisaki's closest friend. She was also the one who worked hard with Hisaki's brother to pull her out of Igarashi Keigo's clutches. Her name was well-known as a capable lawyer.

Without her determination, Hisaki might not be able to break free from the hellish marriage.

A few years after Hisaki marrying Heisuke, Mari met her early demise.

A partner of hers who was also Mari's college friend betrayed her in a high-profile case. Her reputation was smeared and her credibility began to be questioned.

It was a sexual assault case. Mari's client who was the victim of the case committed suicide due to pressure coming from the public. People kept mocking her and Mari as liars. They sided with the perpetrator.

During a heated confrontation between Mari and her client's family, the emotional brother of the victim pushed her toward the busy main road. It was already too late when they realized a van was speeding toward her.

Hisaki still remembered how her body turned cold after she got the news.

"Hey, why are you crying ah? Did your grandfather scold you again?"

The younger Mari's voice was as clear and pleasant as Hisaki remembered. She awkwardly let go of her friend. Mari eyed her with concern.

"Well... I come here because there's something I want to discuss with you," said Hisaki in half-truth.

Mari didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She lightly pinched Hisaki's cheek, "You scared me ah! Come, sit here."

Unlike Hisaki who couldn't further her study, Mari was currently studying law at the best national university. She returned to this town because of the summer break. Mari had to go back soon.

Both of them sat on the floor.

Soon, Aunt Masayo brought two glasses of cold barley tea and a plate of biscuits to the young ladies. She quickly left as she didn't want to disturb whatever the two friends wanted to discuss.

"Mari, I won't beat around the bush," Hisaki heaved a sigh, "I need to leave this town."

Mari was caught in shock. She asked quietly, "It is because of that scum Igarashi?"

Hisaki's nod made Mari curse under her breath. She looked so pissed off.

"Is there really no other way? Your grandfather and parents insist you marry him? Hey! Haven't they thought how much of a bastard that man is? He's been eyeing you since you were 14! Do you know what we call that kind of creep? A pedophile!"

Hisaki chuckled hearing the insults.

It was one of the reasons that prevented Hisaki from looking at Igarashi Keigo in a positive light.

Ever since they encountered one another when she was still in middle school, the scum man always joked that she would become his bride. Hisaki sensed danger from the man who was ten years older than her seeing her in such a way.

Igarashi Keigo always stopped Hisaki whenever they bumped on a street. He invited her to go to his house or asked her out for a meal. She often had to exhaust her mind to reject him.

Behind his seemingly friendly smile, she could vaguely sense there was something sinister lying underneath.

"Well, my parents are against my grandfather," Hisaki smiled faintly, "They oppose this marriage but, you know how my grandfather is."

Mari let out a heavy sigh. Her angry expression instantly changed to a worried one.

"Do you have a plan? Do you know where to go?" Mari began asking the important questions, "If you suddenly leave, I'm afraid that man would do anything to find you. I'm also worried if your family would report you missing."

Hisaki frowned hearing that. What Mari pointed out was also her concern.

"My mom agrees with me when I told her about this," admitted Hisaki honestly, "But... I'm also worried about what would that man do to my family once I leave."

Igarashi Keigo was a petty man. He might not be the smartest but, he still had his own ways to get back at the people who wronged him. Her family might suffer if she abruptly left without any concrete plan.

"You really have a lot on your plate," Mari sighed again, "First, we have to think about what to do to prevent his petty revenge."

Hisaki hummed and nodded in agreement. She began racking her brain. If she could recall any weakness of Igarashi Keigo of this time, it would certainly be a bargaining chip.

As Hisaki was thinking, her gaze fell on the local newspaper lying on the floor. Her eyes widened in shock. The front-page news triggered a faded memory in her mind.

[The loss of the recently discovered ancient relics!]

"Mari! I know something!"

Mari opened her ears wide. She intently listened to what Hisaki wanted to say. Her expression changed from time to time.

"Are you sure about that?" Mari was a bit skeptical, "But, it's worth trying. I'd tell my father about it. He'd be happy to know!"

Hisaki nodded a few times. She tried to convince her friend, "Well, I just heard it in passing. That man's henchmen aren't all smart. Some have loose mouths."

"Heh, I remember hearing some of them bragging about getting huge profits recently," Mari rolled her eyes. A layer of mockery glinted in her gaze, "Do they underestimate our local police?"

Hisaki just smiled. She secretly hoped this matter would end well.

Mari's father was a high-rank police officer at this town station. He was an upright man who had a huge sense of justice.

Mr. Miyajima never feared Igarashi Keigo's wealth and influence. He referred to the latter as an arrogant yet inexperienced man.

Around this time, a group of archaeologists performed an excavation in this town. It was conducted nearby a two-hundred-year-old temple at the foot of the hill.

Different kinds of valuable ancient relics were unearthed by the team. They became the talk of this town. Unfortunately, a few went missing a few days ago.

In Hisaki's previous life, she learned that Igarashi Keigo was the mastermind of this case. She knew it shortly after she married him.

The man boasted at her, saying she should be grateful because a successful man like him fancied her.

Igarashi Keigo proudly admitted to Hisaki that he managed to sell some of the stolen relics and gained a huge fortune because of it.

Because he already conquered her with fear, he thought nothing about Hisaki reporting the events. She also didn't have any concrete evidence aside from his words.

"Mari, I only know that much," Hisaki was a bit worried, "Would it be enough?"

Mari smiled helplessly. She scooted closer to Hisaki and hugged her.

"Don't worry, Hisaki. No matter what, you'll be freed from him. I will help you!"

Hisaki was stunned.

Before, Mari said the same words to her before the divorce battle. The weak and broken Hisaki was able to muster up her courage because of this best friend of hers.

Hisaki returned the hug. She held back her tears.

"Thank you, Mari."

After some time, they let each other go. Hisaki and Mari burst into laughter.

"Ah, I forgot to ask you. Have you thought of any destination?"

Mari admitted that she was more capable than Hisaki in networking and financial aspects. She would exhaust all resources she had if they could help Hisaki to live in a better place.

The question made Hisaki smile. She answered in anticipation, "I've decided. I wanna go to Konomiya Town in Kaagawa City."

"What?" Mari blinked, "So far ah!"

Hisaki's smile deepened.

In fact, Mari was also the one who suggested she go there in her previous life. If not for Mari's persuasion, Hisaki might not head to the port city.