Chapter 49: The True Japanese Ninja, Kimifumi Tanaka (Please vote! Please subscribe!)

When Nakayama Tsuji and Yamamoto Yo saw Tanaka Norifumi, they were startled by his appearance.

"Tanaka... you... what happened to you..."

Though only a night had passed, Tanaka Norifumi now seemed like a completely different person from the evening before—his eyes bloodshot, deep shadows beneath them, his face haggard and gloomy.

"Just a sleepless night," Tanaka Norifumi exhaled, brushing off the concern with a casual explanation.

Last night, he confessed his plan to his wife, begging her to cooperate. His gentle wife, after listening, slapped him hard across the face, but after his desperate pleading, she finally agreed, crying. That night, for the first time, they slept in separate rooms. Tanaka Norifumi was tormented by guilt and anguish, unable to sleep at all.

This morning, his wife prepared breakfast for him as usual, but did not give him a tender embrace at the door or see him off. Tanaka Norifumi felt as if his heart was being torn apart—if these days continued, he feared he would lose his mind.

All because of Hidehisa Aoyama!

That damn man had ruined his blissful newlywed life! Why couldn't he just accept his fate quietly and stay away? Did he not realize how many wished he wouldn't return? It really was outrageous!

So let it all end quickly.

He also feared the order to recall Hidehisa Aoyama to the Metropolitan Police might come suddenly, which was why he invited Yamamoto Yo and Nakayama Tsuji to meet and planned to carry out their scheme as soon as possible.

Taking a deep breath and steadying himself, Tanaka Norifumi looked at the two and said, "After last night, I couldn't sleep at all. Thinking it over, to avoid any complications, let's begin tonight."

After tonight, everything would return to normal.

"Th-this soon?" Yamamoto Yo and Nakayama Tsuji were caught off guard. They hadn't expected the plan discussed just last night to be enacted so quickly, but soon both voiced their support, "If you think sooner is better, Tanaka, we have no objections."

"Then let's unite our efforts and sweep Hidehisa Aoyama into the dustbin where he can rot!" Tanaka Norifumi declared with unwavering resolve, rallying his team.

Little did he know that the two before him, just as they had once betrayed Hidehisa Aoyama, had betrayed him as well.

As soon as Tanaka Norifumi left, Nakayama Tsuji hurriedly called Hidehisa Aoyama, bowing and scraping with servility even through the phone, "Inspector, Tanaka Norifumi's moving up the plan—it's tonight!"

"Tanaka, I'm really looking forward to tonight," Hidehisa Aoyama mused after hanging up, a smile flickering on his lips, his eyes filled with disdain and amusement. He called out, "Nakamura."

"Yes!" Shinichi Nakamura put aside his work and hurried forward with a bow. "Deputy Director, your orders?"

"Tonight, bring your gun and come with me," Hidehisa Aoyama lowered his voice slightly.

Though theoretically Nakayama Tsuji and Yamamoto Yo wouldn't dare betray him again, one can never be too cautious—after all, they had a long history of disloyalty.

Shinichi Nakamura was his final insurance.

"Yes!" Nakamura agreed without hesitation.

As for the requirement to hand in his weapon after work, it wasn’t a concern—if Hidehisa Aoyama wanted him armed, he’d make sure it was permitted.

After sending Nakamura away, Hidehisa Aoyama rose and made his way to Ayai Asai's office, knocking on the door.

"Inspector, may I come in?"

Inside, Ayai Asai heard Hidehisa Aoyama's voice and curled her lip—did he ever ask her permission before entering? He always barged in uninvited.

Thinking of those shameful moments, Ayai Asai blushed, shaking her head to dispel the inappropriate images. "Come in," she called.

Hidehisa Aoyama entered, puzzled by the blush on her face, and immediately expressed concern, "Your face is red, Inspector. Are you feeling feverish? Should I give you a shot to cool you down?"

"Enough with the jokes. If you have something to say, make it quick," Ayai Asai snapped, glancing at the elegant ladies' watch on her wrist, "I need to go to the hospital for an ultrasound."

"What a hassle. Fortunately, I can see ultrasounds without going to the hospital," Hidehisa Aoyama grinned, then added, "But if I had the chance, I'd like to go for one myself."

After all, when watching Japanese films in his previous life, doctor and nurse themes were his favorite—bar none!

Ayai Asai was momentarily stunned, then glared at him, her cheeks flushed, "Get to the point."

"Yes!" Hidehisa Aoyama dropped the smile and explained his purpose, "Tonight, Shinichi Nakamura will be tailing a criminal. Please notify the armory and permit him to carry a gun for protection."

"I'll submit a report to the armory," Ayai Asai agreed without suspicion, then hurried toward the door, "If that's all, I'll be going."

"Yes!" Hidehisa Aoyama replied, bowing as she opened the door, "Take care."

...

Before finishing work, Hidehisa Aoyama's phone rang.

"Moshi moshi."

"Aoyama, this is Tanaka."

"Oh, Tanaka. What can I do for you?" Hidehisa Aoyama feigned ignorance.

"If it's convenient, my wife and I would like to invite you to our home tonight. Please grant us this opportunity, I beg of you!" Tanaka's tone was earnest, his voice trembling slightly, as if suffering, deliberately leaving Hidehisa Aoyama room for speculation.

As expected, Hidehisa Aoyama agreed, "Hahaha, since you want to introduce your wife to me, it would be rude to refuse. I'll be there on time tonight."

"Yes," Tanaka Norifumi replied. After the call ended, his gaze turned cold as he murmured, "This time, I will bury you completely."

He would see Hidehisa Aoyama disgraced, plunged into ruin, never to rise again!

Around eight in the evening, Hidehisa Aoyama, accompanied by Shinichi Nakamura, headed to Tanaka Norifumi's home. Before getting out of the car, he instructed Nakamura, "I'll call you every half hour. If more than thirty minutes pass without a call, rush in with your gun. Otherwise, no matter what happens, stay in the car."

"Yes," Nakamura bowed his head.

Hidehisa Aoyama got out and walked toward the Tanaka residence.

"Ding dong... ding dong..."

After the doorbell rang, a few minutes later the door opened. Tanaka Norifumi stood inside, haggard, and bowed, "Aoyama, please come in."

"Thank you for having me," Hidehisa Aoyama replied politely, changed into slippers, entered, crossed the hallway, and entered the living room—where he immediately saw Tanaka Nako.

Tanaka Nako, to support her husband's plan, had dressed carefully tonight. Her skin was snow-white, her beautiful eyes deep and clear, her hair elegantly swept up, and her figure alluring beneath a tight pink kimono. Her petite feet, without white tabi socks, wore sheer black stockings, adding a hint of sensuality.

"Aoyama," Tanaka Nako bowed, fighting her nerves. As she bent, her collar deliberately left loose, revealing a touch of creamy fullness.

"Yoshi! Flower..." Hidehisa Aoyama, corrupted by anti-Japanese war dramas, nearly blurted out "flower girl," but managed to restrain himself. Instead, he said, "Such beauty, Mrs. Tanaka, truly a vision! Tanaka is lucky indeed to have married such a lovely woman."

"Aoyama, please take a seat," Tanaka Norifumi invited, suppressing his anger. Once Hidehisa Aoyama was seated at the table, Tanaka took the opposite seat, his mood somber. "I can't hold my liquor, so I'll let my wife entertain you."

"Hahaha! Wonderful," Hidehisa Aoyama played the role of a lecher, greedily eyeing Tanaka Nako and patting the cushion beside him, "Mrs. Tanaka, please sit here."

"Yes," Tanaka Nako bit her lip and glanced at her husband, then glided over, seating herself close beside Hidehisa Aoyama. She poured him wine, her voice delicate, "This cup is an apology from Norifumi to you, Aoyama. He has offended you in the past, please forgive him."

"Mrs. Tanaka, that depends on your husband's sincerity," Hidehisa Aoyama smiled meaningfully, placing his left hand directly on her thigh through the kimono.

Tanaka Nako shuddered, her body tensing instantly, her eyes pleading toward her husband for help.

Tanaka Norifumi painfully avoided her gaze.

Tanaka Nako, feeling both sadness and anger, gritted her teeth, then leaned fully into Hidehisa Aoyama's embrace and fed him wine, "Aoyama, do you think this is sincere enough now?"

Tanaka Norifumi's heart clenched as he watched his beloved wife in another man's arms, feeling unable to breathe. Damn it! He couldn't wait any longer.

Everything had to end—now.

"I suddenly remembered I have work at the Metropolitan Police, so I'll take my leave," Tanaka Norifumi apologized to Hidehisa Aoyama, then looked to his wife, instructing, "Make sure to entertain our guest well."

"Yes," Tanaka Nako replied, lips pressed tight.

Hidehisa Aoyama, playing the part of the old lecher, waved his hand with Tanaka Nako in his arms, "Work is important, Tanaka, please go."

"Yes," Tanaka Norifumi stood, cast one last glance at the two, then turned and walked out.

No sooner had he left than Nakayama Tsuji and Yamamoto Yo, who had been waiting outside, hurried over.

Tanaka Norifumi, his face dark, said, "When Nako cries for help, we rush in and take photos."

"Yes," Yamamoto Yo touched the camera hanging from his chest, then exchanged a glance with Nakayama Tsuji.

Their eyes met briefly in the air.

Distracted and worried about his wife, Tanaka Norifumi failed to notice the subtle exchange between his teammates. He lit a cigarette and smoked in silence.

The glow of the cigarette flickered in the darkness.

From inside, the faint sounds of Hidehisa Aoyama's laughter and his wife's shy exclamations reached him, twisting his heart with pain, yet he told himself the time hadn't come.

Just a little longer, just a little more—Hidehisa Aoyama would pay for his reckless behavior!