บท 148: Chapter 148: Exploitation
Akikawa Kyousuke, who was chatting with Suzuki Sonoko and others, noticed Sera Masumi returning.
"Sera, you've been gone for quite a while~ Did you go to the bathroom?"
"I just stepped out to get some fresh air."
Faced with Suzuki Sonoko's question, Sera Masumi simply made an excuse to brush it off.
Suzuki Sonoko didn't suspect anything and quickly turned her attention away from Sera Masumi.
---
'I see, she's looking for Okino Yoko.'
Akikawa Kyousuke glanced at Sera Masumi, who had just returned, and thought to himself.
Akikawa Kyousuke had just realized something.
Sera Masumi had taken out her phone after hearing Okino Yoko mention that she had been absent from filming half a year ago.
Then, after Okino Yoko left the room, Sera Masumi followed her.
Neither of them returned for a considerable amount of time, making it clear that Sera Masumi had started suspecting something from Okino Yoko's words and went to search for her.
---
'Okino Yoko wouldn't carelessly say such things in front of strangers.'
'She probably mentioned it on purpose to that handsome detective, knowing that Sera Masumi would deduce her absence from filming during the car accident case last year.'
'This will undoubtedly arouse the detective's suspicions.'
'Does Okino Yoko want the detectives to investigate the car accident case?'
---
Akikawa Kyousuke had asked Okino Yoko about the perpetrator behind the car accident last night.
However, Okino Yoko had feigned ignorance.
Yet today, Okino Yoko revealed a crucial clue linking her to the case.
Her intentions were now obvious.
---
Most importantly, Okino Yoko had only said, "I was absent from filming half a year ago," rather than specifying, "I was absent from filming on August 23rd of last year."
Sera Masumi's conclusion that Okino Yoko was connected to the car accident stemmed entirely from her own investigation and reasoning.
For detectives, naturally prone to suspicion, conclusions drawn from their deductions are far more credible than being told outright by someone else.
This way, there would be no doubts.
---
'Okino Yoko seems very reluctant to disclose this to me directly. Perhaps the real murderer behind Akikawa Ryoko's death is quite dangerous.'
'That handsome detective is certainly a formidable force. She could even kick down a steel door without hesitation.'
Akikawa Kyousuke recalled the scene where Sera Masumi broke down the door yesterday, silently marveling in his heart at how "outrageous" it was.
---
Such a figure, brimming with intelligence, strength, and a sense of justice, was undoubtedly suited to uncover the truth behind the case.
A few minutes after Sera Masumi's return, Okino Yoko also came back.
Suzuki Sonoko and the others didn't plan to linger for long and left after briefly greeting Okino Yoko and Akikawa Kyousuke.
---
The next day marked the third day of the Toda Kyouji case.
Akikawa Kyousuke once again met the agent Misaki Itakura, whom he hadn't seen the day before.
This time, however, Akikawa Kyousuke could clearly sense that Misaki Itakura's mood was noticeably lower than before.
---
Akikawa Kyousuke knew why.
This agent, a devoted fan of Okino Yoko, had inadvertently become the innocent victim of the tension between herself and Toda Kyouji.
On one side was Misaki Itakura, an ardent fan of Okino Yoko.
On the other was Okino Yoko, overly protective of herself and prone to severe mood swings after her injury.
Considering this, it was clear what had transpired between the two during their time recovering and regaining consciousness.
---
"I'm deeply sorry, Miss Itakura."
"The day before yesterday, I asked Miss Itakura to attend my sister Yoko's film screening. As a result, my sister Yoko seemed to misunderstand Miss Itakura and left her position without permission.
"I've already explained the real situation to my sister Yoko, so I apologize for everything."
---
After meeting Misaki Itakura, Akikawa Kyousuke took the initiative to apologize to the agent.
Misaki Itakura, who had been in low spirits, was suddenly surprised upon hearing Akikawa Kyousuke's words.
---
"Hey, this isn't Mr. Akikawa's fault to begin with, and it's also my fault for leaving Mr. Akikawa's side without permission during work hours!"
"Besides, Miss Yoko has already apologized to me. Wait—"
Misaki Itakura suddenly realized something was off.
"Mr. Akikawa, what did you just call Miss Yoko?"
"Sister Yoko."
"Eh?!"
Misaki Itakura exclaimed.
---
"So, Mr. Akikawa and Miss Yoko aren't lovers!"
"My sister Yoko is my biological sister. How could she be my lover?"
Akikawa Kyousuke looked at Misaki Itakura with a puzzled expression.
---
"My parents divorced when I was young, and my sister Yoko and I were separated.
"My mother passed away last year, so I joined Sister Yoko's company, Wonderful, as an artist."
---
"Oh, so that's how it is! No wonder. No wonder. That's such a relief!"
Misaki Itakura suddenly seemed enlightened after hearing this.
Immediately, the gloomy expression on her face dissipated, and her eyes brightened considerably.
---
'No wonder Miss Yoko cares so much about Mr. Akikawa. It turns out Mr. Akikawa is Miss Yoko's brother!
'I remember Miss Yoko came from a divorced family, but I never thought of it that way.
'Thinking about it now, I understand why Miss Yoko was upset the day before yesterday. It turns out her brother, who had already lost their mother, almost died.'
---
'As expected, Miss Yoko is still the kind and caring Miss Yoko I know~'
'Speaking of which, I now understand Mr. Akikawa's star quality. After all, he's Miss Yoko's younger brother! He truly is a natural-born star!'
---
As Okino Yoko's ultimate fan, Misaki Itakura's perception of her idol, which had been flawed, was now automatically mended.
Seeing Akikawa Kyousuke as Okino Yoko's family made him far easier to accept than seeing him as her lover.
---
Misaki Itakura couldn't help but recall her earlier acceptance of Okino Yoko's apology, which had been somewhat begrudging.
She suddenly felt a pang of regret.
---
Just as she was considering finding another opportunity to apologize to Okino Yoko again, she heard a soft knock on the door and the voice of a woman.
"We're detectives from the First Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department. Mr. Akikawa Kyousuke and Miss Misaki Itakura, are you both present?"
"Please come in," Akikawa Kyousuke called out, raising his voice.
The door opened, and they saw the beautiful detective Miwako Sato, whom they had met before, enter with the tall detective Wataru Takagi following behind.
---
"We're here to inquire about the details of the case that occurred two days ago at the Port Film Festival."
Miwako Sato entered the room and addressed Akikawa Kyousuke and Misaki Itakura.
---
(End of Chapter)
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