Chereads / Insidious Pleasures / Chapter 17 - Irony and Failure

Chapter 17 - Irony and Failure

The fifth day Harue was admitted.

Yemon removed his fox mask as he laid on the bed. He could feel an itching sensation on his right palm. It was bandaged all around.

"Woah. How handsome. You should have been an actor instead of doing such a shitty job."

Virus, Hoga got the chance to see Yemon's real face without any real difficulty.

"Right back at you, Virus-kun."

Virus winced his eye as he was not happy about one thing.

"Oi Yemon, quit calling me like that when I don't have some sort of mask that covers my face. Do you really want to expose me you fucking musclehead!"

Yemon waved as if he was surrendering and apologising for his blunder

"Ah yes. I will take that in mind."

Yemon was tired since he had to do all the convincing for Gui's participation. It was not easy and it resulted in his mental strength being decreased.

His upper body was getting supported by the wall so he leaned and rested. Yemon's eyes closed slowly as he started to get into sleep mode.

".....Umm...What's next?"

"Haaa...Next, I rest while you search for the easy ones."

"...Are you considering me as a slave?"

Hoga was furious as he questioned Yemon. But Yemon responded dejectedly while his eyes were still closed.

"I am more of a slave than you are. Now get back to work as I replenish my energy to recruit another one."

Yemon grasped a large quantity and air and exhaled with exhaustion. He kept quiet as Hoga stared at him going deep into slumber.

Hoga silently thought of an idea. He slowly took his phone which was on his table where the computer is. He fiddled with his phone for a moment and stood up from his comfortable chair.

Then, he carefully approached the sleeping Yemon and quietly positioned his phone.

He was trying to take a picture of Yemon but as soon as he was about to, Yemon tardily re-opened his eyes.

That action caught Hoga off guard which put him in a state of panic. On the spot, Hoga tried to hide his intention by pretending to take a selfie.

Yemon look at him tiredly and responded in a lazy manner.

"Taking my photo and searching for my real identity is not a problem. But exposing it to the police or someone else, that will not do."

Hoga stopped the pretence and looked at him with a disappointed face.

"Keep that info to yourself and I'll keep yours for mine. We are even. Now, let me rest."

Yemon laid down fully on his bed and this time, he really went to sleep. Hoga was immobile for a while and resumed to the thing he wanted to do.

Take a photo and look for any information on Yemon. He took it with caution and got back to his seat.

He typed something on his keyboard as he connected his phone with a cable. The sound of tapping did not stop as he ventured through many data that were scrolling down.

Then, after a few minutes, Hoga finally got it.

The photo of Yemon's face appeared with all the data and pieces of information emerged.

As the Infos about Yemon loaded, Hoga looked at his real identity, his real name. On realizing what he witnessed, Hoga could not control his laugh."

"Pfff!! PHUAHAHAHAHA!! HAHA.....Oh my go!!... I can't!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!"

Hoga was holding his sides and laughed hysterically as his sights broke from the monitor.

"W-...Ha...WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....!!!!THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!!!!"

"For God's sake, can't I even rest for 2 minutes!?!?"

The sight that Yemon caught was unpleasant to look at. Hoga was holding his sides as little tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Maniacally laughing and simultaneously slamming his desks made him look like a mental patient.

"OH MY GOD, THAT'S THE BEST JOKE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!!"

"What are you saying!?"

Hoga shakingly pointed his fingers at his computer screen, at specific information. Yemon annoyingly squinted his eyes at what Hoga was laughing.

After much difficulty focusing on the data, Yemon realized what he was laughing.

It was Yemon's real name.

"The irony-HAHAHAHAHA...!!!! IT'S TOO MUCH!!!... Oh my sides, It's hurting!!!"

"...Tch!"

Yemon clicked his tongue with displeasure as he returned back to his sleeping posture. His back was to Hoga. Yemon concealed his true emotion.

"If you have time to ridicule my name, then you are not tired of doing the other works, right?"

The furious tone was ignored as Hoga tried to calm himself down but unable to do so. It took him minutes to even lower the volume as he went right back to his computer.

"Haaaa.....That was funny."

Hoga chuckled and continued to scroll down to scan more information about Yemon.

But the ascend of the corners of his lips dropped significantly as the amount of data he learned about this man. 30 minutes later, he finished analyzing the background of Yemon.

Every single information did not escape from Hoga's clutch. He understood almost everything.

He murmured as his gaze hovered over Yemon.

"It must be hard for you..."

Sympathy usurped Hoga's mind. As if he comprehended Yemon's situation completely, the benevolent tone could be heard.

Yemon silently heard it.

It was the first he ever heard such a kind tone from Hoga. That did not sound like pity to Yemon, instead, Hoga displayed empathy which lumped himself together with Yemon.

Hoga returned to his monitor and verified the information that Yemon gave it to him.

....

*Yawn*

"Good morning."

"I'm surprised that you have manners."

"Right? Appearance can be deceiving."

Despite being dark outside, the word 'Good morning' exited Hoga's mouth. Yemon stretched himself as he looked at Hoga.

"So?"

Hoga continued playing but his thoughts were on Yemon's beckoning to find the 'candidates."

"I did not exactly pinpoint any of the individuals you are looking for..."

*Sigh*

"But..."

Yemon's sigh did not stop Hoga from talking. He was intrigued and restless of what Hoga has to say.

"I can make one of the 'recruits' come to you."

"...Which one?"

"The famous female killer that terrorizes over the Shizuoka Prefecture."

"The...Crazy Succubus...?"

"Yup."

Yemon's smile came to view as a notification from the computer came.

"Flawless victory."

The speaker conveyed the message after Hoga stopped playing. He turned to Yemon and saw a satisfied grin.

"What do I have to do?"

.....

Yemon, without his mask on, was walking like a gangster. He wore a stylish black shirt and black jeans. He had a blue and white boot.

A black spectacle covering his focused eyes and a black piercing in one of his ears. A fashionable black hat which has a red demon's figure.

His gait was lousy so as to give an expression of a violent and hot-tempered person.

He also had a tattoo on his neck. A half-naked lady that was majestically intertwined with a long sword. The sword was longer than the woman.

Yemon was in the Shizuoka Prefecture, specifically in a bustling red-light district. By the time, the number of people strolling this area has definitely peaked.

The probability of meeting who Yemon wants to is higher.

He continued walking through the crowd slowly but nothing of great significance happened to him.

Nearly about 4 hours went by and still no sight of the target. Nevertheless, Yemon continued to put up the pretence and walked around.

......

The sixth day Harue was admitted.

It was morning and the populace decreases. This area is abundant with all types of people at night.

Yemon, with his 'working clothes', went into a coffee shop and ordered some coffee. He maintained a 'hot-tempered bad guy' vibe while he spoke to the waiter.

It was an act but that small interaction may or may not spread rumours that Yemon is in this place. He just wants to increase the chance of baiting the target.

He phoned someone as he drank a sip of coffee.

"No one came. I'll resume but you better get the other work going."

"Yes yes. Good luck bro." A lazy voice transmitted over the phone.

Yemon ended the small chat and put his phone back in his pocket. He finished his delicious coffee and proceeded to stroll in the area again.

Time passed and it became noon. The scorching sun made Yemon sweat. His nape was sweaty and hot so he passed his hands on there and wiped it.

He drank and ate some food and continued doing his routine.

Still no result.

Then came the night that pulls in many people in this area. Most of them were delinquents, thug-looking grouped individuals and some normal civilians who want a thrill in their life.

There were seductive girls at the corners of some building that attracted some customers for a good service.

There would also be some fights that would break out in the streets but this day, there was not an abundance of violent situations.

This was normal and Yemon continued showing his presence here and there as he loitered everywhere doing nothing.

.....

The day Harue was discharged from the hospital.

Still no luck.

The sun rose and shone on Yemon. His black hat gave him shades to his face. He sat on a bench nonchalantly but inside, he was frustrated.

His fruitless attempts were nagging his mind.

'...I don't know if this will work...'

To a small extent, his spirit got down. He sighed as he looked around at the people walking and talking in the area, thinking about something.

Then suddenly, his phone started to ring which made him snap back from thinking mode.

He checked who it was and picked it up dispiritedly.

"Oi Hoga, I don't kn-"

"Prepare to be astonished my boy! Because I have a very beautiful good news for you!"

Hoga's cheerful voice got Yemon get back to his normal state. He expected to have, as foretold, good news. He wanted to hear it immediately.

"What is it?"

"I have got my sexy blue eyes on the target codenamed Lumen! What do you say? Astonished?"

Hoga had a cheeky tone to him at the end of his conversation. Yemon was clearly shocked.

"You found her!?! How did you-!!? Where!!?!" Yemon stood up and exclaimed.

"It's all the way to Kyoto. I suggest that you leave right now."

Yemon promptly dashed to his car which was a block away from where he was. He put on the ignition key and started the engine.

"Keep an eye on her!"

"Roger that dipshit."

The red car accelerated at full throttle and made its way to Kyoto.

....

After a 4 hour drive, Yemon arrived in Kyoto. Hoga updated the new target's, Lumen's whereabouts.

Apparently, she was in a Supermarket.

"...Supermarket?.....Are you sure?"

Yemon doubtfully confirmed Hoga's search. To which Hoga replied affirmatively.

He found that strange, nevertheless, he continued pursuing. He arrived at the said supermarket and scanned the surroundings. He got out of the car quickly.

Yemon found some policemen who were eating crepes at a small stall. He swept a glance at them before entering the packed establishment.

"She is by theeeee....7th aisle at the far end."

Hoga chimed in some detailed whereabouts of Lumen before Yemon got the chance to speak. He walked as fast as he could to not uphold any suspicion.

He turned to the 7th aisle and walked tp the end. At last, he arrived at what Hoga pinpointed. Yemon looked around and paused.

He had her in his sight.

There was a group of three teenage girls marching closely and chatted frivolously amongst themselves. But Yemon did not concentrate on all of the girls, instead, the one on the left was the most important.

Black short hair that covered till her ears and the maturity that partially invaded her face. She had red piercings on both her ears.

The eyelashes were slightly longer but it fitted with her brown eyes. On seeing that figure, Yemon stood still and pondered.

He had a confused stare which pricked his mind continuously.

He exited the Supermarket and looked for the policemen. They just finished eating and were walking. He observed those 2 policemen and decided.

Yemon ran to them and bumped one of them. He abruptly turned to one of the police officers.

"Sorry officer, I'm in a hurry!"

"Be careful!!"

Yemon escape from their sights as the police officers returned back walking while still lingering slight anger towards Yemon.

Yemon, who took off his hat and remove his piercing, entered the Supermarket again. Once more, he searched for that specific girl.

Yemon found her after a few minutes, then confronted her.

He stood before the 3 girls with a menacing aura, which caused the girls to be concerned.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, but I need some of your time."

Yemon pulled out a police badge that he got from the policeman. He put one of his finger covering the badge's photo halfway, so as to not arouse suspicion. He retracted his badge quickly.

The girls still had their doubts but they worriedly asked Yemon.

".....Is there anything wrong officer?" The one who talked was another girl who had long blond dyed hair.

"No. Nothing is wrong but I want to confirm something which specifically involves this one."

Yemon pointed at the target Lumen.

"...M-Me?" 'Lumen' responded.

"Yes. Can I have a look at your ID, please? We want to confirm that you are not one of the criminals that we are trying to catch."

"Excuse me?"

She was blatantly confused about why the 'officer' was saying an absurd thing to her.

"You surely must have heard of Uchiyama Emi. Are you not her?"

"...Again? I'm tired of this shit."

Yemon seemed like he was right about his doubts. The furious and annoyed girl pulled out her card ID and presented it to Yemon.

"Here." The tone was not suitable to be conveyed to a police officer but she was different.

Indeed, Yemon took a look and the name he expected was not there. He returned to a subtle smiley face and returned the ID to the girl.

"Sorry for disturbing you again. It is my job so it cannot be helped. I'll excuse myself then."

The girls kept quiet and Yemon slowly escaped from there.

He got out of the scene and returned to the policemen. They were about to get into the car but Yemon stopped.

He pulled out an act about how his badge fell out and Yemon picked it up when returning to get something he forgot due to his 'hurriedness'.

The policeman took it and thanked him.

Yemon got to his red car with an indescribable expression, but anyone can tell that he was not happy. As he entered his car, he took out his phone and called someone.

After a few minutes, someone picked it up and Yemon coldly stated.

"It's not her."