Chapter 84: Nihei Jiro: But I Was Here First!

“Yes, it’s Shuichi Aoyama,” Kenyu Hikokawa replied affirmatively, a faint smile lingering on his face. “I know marrying Ayaka might be a bit of a stretch for Shuichi right now, but the engagement ceremony can be held next year. I’m good at reading faces, and I predict Shuichi will be promoted next year—a police inspector at twenty-five. Uncle, you really have an eye for choosing a son-in-law.”

The father and son, Yuhiko Asai and Saki Asai, couldn’t fathom why Kenyu Hikokawa held Shuichi Aoyama in such high regard. Yet, one thing was certain: if Hikokawa said Aoyama had a promising future, he surely did—and if he married Ayaka, that future would only get brighter.

Still, Yuhiko Asai couldn’t help but look down on Shuichi Aoyama, and was extremely displeased by his sneaky behavior. He declined, “Kenyu, I appreciate your concern about Ayaka’s marriage, but she and Jirou Ninpei have been childhood sweethearts and are genuinely fond of each other. Though I am the head of the family, I must respect her wishes.”

“Oh, is that so?” Hikokawa’s face showed surprise. “But from what I know, Ayaka and Shuichi are mutually in love. In fact, I met Shuichi because Ayaka introduced him to me as her boyfriend. I always thought Shuichi was your chosen son-in-law, Uncle!”

Hearing this, Yuhiko and Saki Asai were instantly incensed. Ayaka had secretly leveraged the Asai family’s carefully cultivated connections for Shuichi Aoyama.

That guy being favored by Hikokawa was already thanks to the Asai family, and now he was using Hikokawa to pressure the family to marry Ayaka—completing the loop. Damn it!

“Uncle, I only recognize Shuichi as my brother-in-law. I was even planning to join your daughter’s wedding and drink a cup of celebratory wine. Surely you won’t let this wish go unfulfilled?” Hikokawa said cheerfully.

His words were already bordering on impolite.

He had no choice—if he didn’t assert his closeness to Shuichi Aoyama, Yuhiko Asai would likely never agree to the marriage.

But precisely because it was a challenge, once accomplished, Shuichi Aoyama would be endlessly grateful.

Yuhiko Asai’s face darkened in silence.

Saki Asai now had even less right to speak.

Hikokawa continued, “Uncle, you can’t only look at the present—Shuichi isn’t just a promising prospect, he’s also sincere. Though his family isn’t wealthy, he’s willing to offer a dowry of one hundred million.”

Yuhiko Asai’s expression softened somewhat at this. A hundred million was not much for the Asai family, but for Shuichi Aoyama, it was indeed a sign of sincerity.

Meanwhile, Saki Asai’s eyes bulged with rage, fists clenched, veins throbbing on his forehead. That bastard was using the money he’d swindled from him to marry his sister—essentially, not spending a penny and getting the Asai family’s only daughter for free.

Damn it!

But with Hikokawa present, he couldn’t speak up—he could only swallow his anger.

“Kenyu, must you insist on this proposal today?” Yuhiko Asai asked seriously.

Hikokawa replied just as seriously, “I truly want to fulfill the love between Shuichi and Ayaka. When the time comes, I’ll invite my grandfather to officiate their wedding.”

With those words, Yuhiko Asai knew there was no room left for negotiation. Refusing would not only offend Hikokawa, but Ayaka would surely cause chaos at home, making them a laughingstock. Besides, if Hikokawa Juro officiated, the marriage would still be respectable in the eyes of outsiders.

“Very well, then I’ll accept this marriage,” Yuhiko Asai decided at once.

As for the Ninpei family, he believed that invoking Hikokawa’s name would make them understand. If not, they could take it up with Hikokawa themselves.

Hikokawa beamed, laughing heartily. “Good, good, it’s settled then! I’ll tell Shuichi and have him arrange for his elders to meet you soon.”

“Excellent!” Yuhiko Asai nodded, then changed the subject, “How is Uncle Hikokawa’s health?”

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle. He’s doing well, but at his age there are always some ailments…”

The conversation then turned to family matters.

After lunch, Hikokawa took his leave.

“Dad, that Shuichi Aoyama is utterly shameless—the hundred million dowry is the money I gave him!” Once the door was closed, Saki Asai could no longer contain himself, explaining angrily.

Yuhiko Asai’s face darkened further after hearing this. He replied irritably, “If you knew about the secret relationship between Shuichi and Ayaka all along, why didn’t you tell me first?”

“I thought—”

“You thought, you thought!” Yuhiko Asai interrupted angrily. “Do you think everything will go the way you imagine? Who do you think you are! Now you’re being made a fool of!”

Saki Asai could only admit fault, feeling aggrieved.

“Shuichi Aoyama… is alright. Since the matter can’t be changed, don’t keep holding a grudge against him. Otherwise, you’ll give him a wife and still not earn his gratitude,” Yuhiko Asai’s mood eased after venting, and then he added, “You handle things with Jirou.”

“Yes, sir,” Saki Asai replied, bowing his head.

He knew his father was right, but reason and emotion are separate. At least for now, he couldn’t bring himself to forgive Shuichi Aoyama.

Just thinking of him made his teeth itch with hatred.

…………………………

Elsewhere, Shuichi Aoyama had just returned to his office after lunch and received a congratulatory call from Kenyu Hikokawa. He was instantly elated.

“Thank you, Hikokawa—my gratitude for your kindness and support will last a lifetime! Yes, yes!”

After hanging up, he rushed to Ayaka Asai’s office.

Bang!

“What are you doing? You startled me!” Ayaka Asai looked up from her desk at the sound of the door.

Shuichi Aoyama closed the door and said, “Hikokawa just told me your father has agreed to our marriage.”

“Really?” Ayaka’s face lit up with delight, but she quickly resumed a feigned composure and sighed, “Well, lucky you.”

“Heh, as if your family hadn’t agreed, I couldn’t have you anyway,” Shuichi Aoyama scoffed, sitting in Ayaka’s chair and pulling her into his lap.

Through the thin layer of fabric, Ayaka could feel his physical presence distinctly and let out a soft sound—after all, with sighs both long and short.

Where there’s length, there’s a sigh; where there’s shortness, there’s only a sigh of disappointment.

With the warmth of her softness in his arms, Shuichi Aoyama’s hands roamed restlessly along her curves.

“Stop it, I’m not in the mood today,” Ayaka pressed his hand, blushing deeply.

As a police officer, Shuichi Aoyama prided himself on investigation—his hand didn’t stop until he confirmed her words were true.

“Then use your hand.”

“I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you,” Shuichi Aoyama said earnestly.

Meanwhile, Saki Asai had arranged to meet Jirou Ninpei. Facing his smiling friend and brother, he hesitated several times before speaking.

“Saki, what’s going on? If you have something to say, just say it! By the way, since there’s a holiday this week, how about I invite Ayaka out?”

Saki Asai sighed, gritted his teeth and said, “Jirou, today Hikokawa came to propose for Ayaka. My father couldn’t refuse, so he agreed. So, between you and Ayaka…”

“What?” Jirou Ninpei’s expression shifted instantly to fury. He sprang up and grabbed Saki Asai by the collar. “Saki, you’re lying, aren’t you? This is a joke, right?”

“Jirou!” Saki looked at him with sympathy, pried his hands away forcibly. “I’m telling the truth. I always hoped you’d be my brother-in-law, but now, I’m powerless.”

“Damn it! That Hikokawa goes too far!” Jirou Ninpei cursed, eyes reddening. Suddenly realizing something, he ran off, leaving Saki Asai calling after him in confusion.

Twenty minutes later, Jirou Ninpei burst into the police headquarters, flinging open Ayaka Asai’s office door.

At that moment, Ayaka and Shuichi Aoyama were already tidied up, though her cheeks still bore a flush.

“Second Brother, why are you here?” Ayaka hurriedly wiped something from the corner of her mouth.

As childhood friends, she always called Ninpei’s elder brother “Big Brother” and him “Second Brother.”

Jirou closed the door, ignored Shuichi Aoyama, and, eyes red, gripped Ayaka’s shoulders, speaking passionately: “Ayaka, I just learned that uncle has promised you to someone else under Hikokawa’s pressure. Come with me—let’s beg uncle to revoke his decision.”

“Second Brother, what are you doing?” Ayaka stepped back, freeing herself from his hands, and looked at him apologetically. “I’ve always seen you as a brother, and I agreed to this marriage willingly. You’re a good man—you’ll find someone better than me.”

“You… what did you say?” Jirou was thunderstruck, his eyes bloodshot, breath rapid as he shouted, “I was the first! I was first! Who is that bastard? Who?!”

“Uh… it’s me,” Shuichi Aoyama finally made his presence known, extending the hand that had just been busy with Ayaka. “My name is Shuichi Aoyama.”

Jirou fixed his gaze on him, gritting his teeth, “You’re Shuichi Aoyama?”

“I am,” Shuichi Aoyama nodded.

“Bastard!” Feeling robbed, Jirou’s fury exploded, and he threw a punch.

Shuichi Aoyama dodged easily.

“Second Brother! What are you doing?” Ayaka stepped between them, arms outstretched, neck stiff. “If you want to hit him, you’ll have to hit me first.”

She seemed to protect Shuichi, but in fact, she was protecting Jirou from getting beaten badly.

“Clearly, Ayaka prefers my younger brother over you, Second Brother,” Shuichi said, standing behind Ayaka and kissing her cheek.

Ayaka blushed in anger and embarrassment. “Shut up!”

“Coward! Hiding behind a woman, is that all you’ve got?!” Jirou’s face was livid.

Shuichi continued, “I’m not just behind her—I’m on her, under her.”

Yes, sometimes on her face, too.

“Damn it!” Jirou’s eyes burned with hatred. “Shuichi Aoyama, just wait—you’ve humiliated me and I won’t forget it! I’ll win Ayaka back!”

With that, he slammed the door and left.

“Why did you provoke him?” Ayaka turned and shoved Shuichi, annoyed.

Shuichi spread his hands. “He sees this as a wife-stealing grudge. As if not provoking him would make him let me off.”

Ayaka stomped her foot and left.

“Where are you going?” Shuichi asked.

“To rinse my mouth!”

…………………………

That evening, the verdicts for Kyoka Kitano and Ayaka Asou’s trial were broadcast on the news.

Kyoka Kitano—life imprisonment; Ayaka Asou—five years.

The whole nation applauded. After all, Masako Mikami’s death was too tragic, too horrifying.

The real culprit, Ryo Kitamiya, was delighted. With the trial concluded, the police guarding the crime scene in the apartment building would withdraw.

He could finally target his next victim.

The murderer had just been tried during the day, and that night, a similar crime would unfold in the same apartment…

He intended to show the country that the arrogant so-called detective Shuichi Aoyama had caught the wrong person!

He would trample the police’s reputation into the dirt!

Ryo Kitamiya was so excited, his breathing quickened.