Chapter 100: The Prime Suspect, Three Days Remaining

When Aoyama Hidenobu came downstairs, he saw his sister-in-law warmly smiling as she held Asai Aya’s hand, clearly already aware that this was his future sister-in-law.

“Hidenobu, are you alright?” Aoyama Haruko asked with concern as soon as she saw him descend. She released Asai Aya’s hand and looked at him worriedly.

Anyone could tell from Hidenobu’s unusual expression that his mood was extremely sour—far from happy, but not quite worried, either.

“I’m fine.” Hidenobu shook his head, trying to steady his emotions, then said, “Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard all day. Please go rest first. I’ll talk with them and see how we can catch this thief.”

“Alright!” Haruko replied and glanced at Asai Aya before heading back upstairs.

No sooner had she left than Asai Aya eagerly asked, “What exactly did you lose?”

“Something very important.” Hidenobu sat beside her, took a sip from the water glass she had used, and said, “I can’t say exactly what it is, but it’s crucial. We must find it. Right now, the only lead is the thief.”

Though he suspected the mastermind behind the photo theft was someone close to Yamada Yūji, Yamada needed time to identify suspects. Hidenobu couldn’t just wait idly; he had to act.

From Yamada’s words, both he and his backers were likely henchmen of Kurozawa Makoto. The photos were probably stolen to help Kurozawa erase damaging evidence.

The key now was not knowing the thief’s allegiance. If the photos were to be handed to Kurozawa’s political enemies, it would be too late to act.

But if the thief sought personal gain, there was still a chance to retrieve the photos.

At this point, Hidenobu and Yamada, two friends bound by misfortune, could only do their best and leave the rest to fate.

“I’ll check the surveillance footage to see if there are any clues,” Fujimoto Ryoichi quickly volunteered.

Nakamura Shinichi followed, “I’ll ask the neighbors if they noticed anything.”

“Thank you both,” Hidenobu said.

The two men bowed respectfully and hurried off to their tasks.

“Please be attentive, and inform me immediately if you find anything.” After dismissing them with a wave, Hidenobu looked at Asai Aya. “I need information on Kurozawa Makoto.”

He wasn’t familiar with Japan’s political scene, and the original owner’s memories contained no mention of Kurozawa, suggesting this powerful figure kept a low profile.

But since he had heard of Kurozawa Makoto in his previous life, it meant this man had certainly stirred up some major events. Hidenobu needed to learn more about him.

He had to prepare himself for the possibility that the photos might never return, and that he would have to face the wrath of Kurozawa’s faction. Even if he was as insignificant as an ant in their eyes, he would never meekly accept his fate.

If he had to die, he would at least make sure he left a mark.

“Why the sudden interest in him?” Asai Aya looked at Hidenobu with a hint of worry.

She guessed the lost item was connected to Kurozawa Makoto, a man whose involvement could bring unpredictable fortune or disaster—though it seemed disaster was more likely.

Hidenobu didn’t explain, nor did he order her as he once might have. Instead, he took her hand earnestly and said, “Please, Aya.”

“All right! I’ll gather some recent information about him and bring it to you tomorrow morning,” Asai Aya agreed after a moment’s silence. She stood to leave but paused after a few steps, turning back. “Don’t forget tomorrow night.”

Tomorrow was Wednesday, and her parents and elder brother had promised to take the time to meet Hidenobu’s family that evening.

“Don’t worry.” Though the photo incident clouded his mind and almost made him forget, he showed no sign of it. “I certainly won’t forget.”

With that, Asai Aya turned and continued on her way out.

“Bang!”

“Phew—”

Hearing the door slam, Aoyama Hidenobu, seated on the sofa, massaged his brow and exhaled deeply.

Meanwhile, Yamada Yūji was also agitated. After receiving Hidenobu’s call, he had kicked all the women out of the private room and was quietly reviewing the situation.

According to what he knew, the whole affair began when a young woman accompanying Kurozawa Makoto—unaware of his identity, only knowing he was wealthy—planned to extort money from him. While serving Kurozawa, she secretly took photos of them sharing a bed.

When she lost contact with Kurozawa, she sent one of the photos to the intermediary who had arranged her company. The intermediary panicked and planned to silence her without Kurozawa’s knowledge, thinking that would resolve everything.

If all had gone smoothly, that would have been the end.

But things clearly didn’t go as planned.

The young woman narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. Shocked, furious, and fearful, she sought revenge, telling the intermediary she no longer wanted money but intended to send the photos to major newspapers.

The intermediary, overwhelmed, confessed to Kurozawa and saved his family by attempting suicide. The woman was soon captured by Kurozawa’s men and tortured to force her to hand over the photos.

However, the brutal treatment killed her outright, and the photos vanished completely. It was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment. Thus, even after a year, Kurozawa’s people hadn’t given up searching.

A few days ago, Morishita Isamu learned by chance from a drunken Nakayama Meiko that the photos were with him and passed the information to Yamada Yūji, with whom he was close.

Overjoyed at this golden opportunity to climb into Kurozawa’s favor, Yamada prepared to take action against Nakayama Meiko, but the target died before he could act.

Analyzing the situation, he suspected Hidenobu had taken the photos. Tonight, he tested his theory, and sure enough, the photos were in Hidenobu’s hands, who surprisingly was willing to hand them over.

Confident the matter was nearly settled, Yamada immediately reported to his superiors that he had found the photos and would soon acquire them, but to prevent others from stealing the credit, he concealed that Hidenobu possessed the photos.

And then the photos were stolen...

So, as Hidenobu said, the problem must be someone on his own side. But who?

Yamada considered carefully. Only three people knew the photos were with Hidenobu.

First, Morishita Isamu, who could be ruled out since he provided the lead.

Second, Yamada’s assistant, Itō Hiroshi, his trusted confidant with little suspicion.

Third, the vicious dog he kept, Sugimoto Yuri, head of the Sugimoto family. The person assigned to steal from Hidenobu’s house was under her command.

Thinking this over, Yamada found Sugimoto the prime suspect—bold and reckless enough to risk anything in the underworld.

“Ring ring~ ring ring~”

The sudden phone ringing startled him.

Snapping back to focus, Yamada angrily grabbed the phone. “Hello?”

“This is Harada Heiichi.”

“Ah! Mr. Harada!” Yamada instantly straightened up and bowed, though they were only speaking over the phone.

Harada Heiichi was Kurozawa Makoto’s secretary.

Kurozawa rarely appeared in public these days; Harada acted as his spokesperson and heir.

“The boss has been waiting for your photos.”

Sweat beaded on Yamada’s forehead, his breathing grew heavy. After a pause, he cautiously replied, “Please tell President Kurozawa that there’s been a slight complication, but it’s still under my control. I’ll have the photos soon and will deliver them immediately.”

“Prosecutor Yamada, you know the president cares greatly about his reputation. If anything goes wrong in this matter, no one will protect you,” Harada warned.

“Yes, I understand. I won’t be negligent!” Yamada assured him, then added, “Please give me a little more time. I’ll resolve it as soon as possible!”

“Three days,” Harada said flatly.

Though Yamada felt that was too short, he dared not bargain. He knew Harada granting three days was thanks to his long-term loyalty and could only answer, “Understood!”

“Are you sure you can manage?” Harada’s tone was severe.

Because of Yamada’s loyalty, Harada was willing to help with this minor favor but insisted it remain just that—a small favor.

He must not be implicated.

Yamada had no confidence inside, but outwardly was resolute. “Three days is more than enough to handle this small problem. Mr. Harada, I wouldn’t dare deceive you on such a matter!”

“You know what’s best.” Harada hung up.

“Phew—”

Hearing the busy signal, Yamada exhaled deeply, as if drained of all strength, collapsing onto the sofa.

Moments later, he hurriedly called Aoyama Hidenobu.

“Sugimoto Yuri is the prime suspect among my men. The Sugimoto family is a branch of the Inagawa-kai. The people I assigned to steal the photos from your house were her subordinates.”

“Also, I tried my best but only secured three days. Three days! If we can’t get the photos back by then, we’ll both be buried together.”

Meanwhile, although Harada had promised to help Yamada buy time, he feared Yamada was not telling the whole truth. To avoid being implicated himself, he ordered a subordinate to investigate further before reporting to Kurozawa.

“Alright, I’ll ask him to meet privately.” After hanging up, Hidenobu called Yamakawa Kazuki without preamble. “Do you know Sugimoto Yuri?”

“Yes! She is the head of the Sugimoto family, a core member of the Inagawa-kai,” Yamakawa replied effortlessly, as if recalling encyclopedic knowledge.

Hidenobu said, “Find a discreet place and invite her. I need to have a talk.”

“Right now?” Yamakawa asked.

“Right now,” Hidenobu answered.

He wasn’t going to sleep tonight anyway.

Only three days—seventy-two hours. Every second wasted was truly time lost.

“Understood!” Yamakawa agreed at once.