Chereads / Insidious Pleasures / Chapter 34 - Jo

Chapter 34 - Jo

"And today, we welcome our special guest, Ms Park Shin Hye."

A man in his early 40s introduced a woman of an eye-popping beauty in his talk show.

Her long light pink hair swayed as she brushed them off her shoulder. Her glossy pink lips matched her hair. Her young face was the main foundation for all her attractive parts.

Her facial feature can bewitch the entire people working on the set of the show, especially men.

As for her slender body, she had a trendy black one-piece that covered her body till her thighs.

She sat like a refined and well-mannered lady.

"Hello everyone. It has been a pleasure to have set foot on this show. I am very privileged."

"Ah, that is not the case Ms Park. In fact, it is this show that has prospered for having your presence."

"Oh, you flatter me too much."

The lively exchange between the host and the guest kept going as it should on the talk show.

Park Shin Hye was a solo artist in South Korea and recently became popular due to her newest songs. It went viral in her home country, Japan and other states.

So right now, she was invited to one of the biggest T.V talk show produced in Japan at the moment. It was obvious that no small-time actors would easily find their way into this set.

Only big achievers in the entertainment industry had a chance of appearing. It just demonstrates how Park Shin Hye was a rising star.

Through the camera lenses that capture everything in their sight, a cameraman's professional face focused at Park Shin Hye.

The talk show went on for about 3 hours. On a set that operates for hours, stress and fatigue can be developed in the host, staff and even the guest.

However, an experienced team was different. 3 hours was nothing like the extreme for them so they normally carried on their other work.

A few though were on break. In the cafeteria, various people from different teams have their own distinct free time.

Some shows are unpredictable, which can take up to half a day.

It is hard to work with an irregular time schedule but what can they do. Most people have no other choice than to follow the flow of the shows.

All to make the boss happy with the viewer ratings and make the company more successful.

Around a table with only 3 men, they complained about their similar profession.

One man in his late 30s bragged about his discontent with the salary of the job.

"I tell you, kid, we do not get paid enough for this job. This is by far, the most boring and tiring job I have ever taken."

He drank the coffee as he looked at the 'kid' he spoke with. The 'kid' replied,

"I am not sure I can agree with you, Nabe-senpai. There are some merits to being a cameraman."

"Like?"

".....Staring at big-time celebrities."

Another guy beside the two laughed at the kid's weird answer.

"What kind of merit is that, Morikawa-kun? Are you an idiot?"

"Yamamoto-senpai! Every time you get the chance, you just don't let that slip and call me an idiot!"

"Because that is what you are."

"Senpai!?"

Seeing that the 'kid', Morikawa was making a ruckus by raising his voice, the oldest guy, Nabe, stepped in.

"Oi Morikawa, your reaction is exaggerated. It should not have been a surprise for us calling you an idiot."

"Even you, Nabe-senpai?"

Morikawa was dejected as he hid his head under the table. Two seniors calling him an idiot simultaneously was too much for him.

He was embarrassed, nevertheless, the onslaught of 'idiot' kept on going from the two seniors' mouth.

"Even though you have a handsome face, no one would have expected for you to be an idiot." Yamamoto sounded disappointed.

"It is rather unfortunate that I cannot argue with you on that, Yamamoto-kun."

Those two were in agreement and that triggered Morikawa. He lifted his head and confronted them.

"Are you continuing to call me idiot!?"

"He is smart for an idiot."

The outburst from Morikawa did not stop the humiliation. He had it.

"Y-!"

"You are the type of idiot we like. Right, Nabe-senpai?"

Yamamoto immediately shut Morikawa completely. He was startled as he stared at his Senpai.

"I cannot argue with you on that either." Nabe backed Yamamoto.

There was a pause between the three. Yamamoto chuckled at the level of bafflement Morikawa experienced. Nabe looked at those two with a gentle gaze.

On the other hand, the abashed Morikawa stuttered.

"W-What are you saying, Yamamoto-senpai!?"

'Ha! He is trapped again.' Yamamoto smirked at how easy it was to persuade his junior, Morikawa.

There was just this kind of strange and awkward atmosphere that Yamamoto revelled in.

Yamamoto and Morikawa stared at each other which made Nabe intervene again.

"Should I get my camera? I feel the need for capturing this boy on boy action."

"Wait a second! That is definitely not what is happening! I am definitely into women."

Nabe laughed and Yamamoto soon joined. Morikawa pouted as he was not happy about being the subject of humiliation and being called gay.

Seeing how much they joked about, Yamamoto smoothly diverted the conversation.

"Speaking of women, were you in charge of recording the close-up shot of Park Shin Hye?"

"Yeah. What of it?"

"You are so lucky, Morikawa-kun!"

Yamamoto slapped his back and praised him.

"Even taking a peek at her brighten my mood."

Yamamoto was trembling with excitement as he thought of Park Shin Hye. The elegant beauty was too popular among the men populace. It was understandable as to why Yamamoto reacted this way.

Nabe put more credibility as he added.

"She is a hot topic in the industry and a stunning appearance to boast. From what I see, Park Shin Hye is an unattainable flower."

Morikawa listened silently when they saw the star getting praised for her skills and beauty.

He murmured out of habit

"Unattainable...huh."

.....

"Unattainable, my ass!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! She is right in front of me, ready to change into 'tainted'!"

Morikawa laughed hysterically again.

In front of him was Park Shin Hye, tied to a steel fence. Handcuffs were used as they were pretty resistant. Majorly though, because it was kinky to Morikawa.

Park Shin Hye was terrified at the moment. She was not disrobed at all nonetheless, the presence of the Morikawa kept her fear.

"Well then Ms Park Shin Hye, shall we start recording?"

A crescent-shaped grin appeared as it oozed a mischievous and dangerous aura. It triggered Shin Hye's danger signal.

She understood with one glance of his eye that this man, is a predator embodied by lust.

*Clank* *Clank*

She moved her hand violently, in an attempt to free herself. Unfortunately, the sound of the metal fence obstructed her hands, plummeted her hope into oblivion.

"MMMmmm!!!!!"

Her mouth was gagged by a piece of cloth tightly. Since they were in a basement-like room, the little sound could still be heard of she can scream louder.

However, this was not possible due to her hindered voice.

Morikawa was ready to ravage the woman in front. He wore a creepy clown mask and approached a tripod. A camera was installed at the top of it.

With this, it could film everything without complaining. It was Morikawa's trusted aide.

He pressed a button on the camera and a red light flickered on.

It started recording.

The clown masked Morikawa clapped his hand and introduced himself to the camera.

"Hello everyone! I am here again with another special guest that wanted to appear on my channel. So here we have a familiar face, especially among my Asian fellows, a familiar face."

He moved out of the way and excitedly unveil the guest's identity.

"Park Shin Hye! Yeaaa!!"

He clapped his hand rapidly like a happy little boy discovering a new toy.

"Well now, as usual. I am going to feast on my dinner while you guys enjoy this small party alongside me."

Saying that he turned around and focused on Shin Hye.

He slowly moved towards her, appreciating every moment before reaching nirvana.

*Knock* *Knock* * Knock*

"Hello!!"

A man's stifle voice stopped Morikawa instantly.

The basement which had a staircase that leads upstairs was where the voice came from. He stared up at the wooden hatch door with silence.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Are you there Mr Clown?"

Morikawa was flabbergasted. His identity was in danger. He was panicking and anger welled in him.

'How the fuck does he know?"

He hurriedly shut off the camera and start packing his stuff. But he would not be able to finish.

"I am coming!!"

Soon after, the door broke into 2 part as it tumbled down the stairs.

"Shit!"

A fox masked man appeared in the dark. He did not walk or run down the stairs. Instead, he jumped all of it.

*Thump!*

"Well, well, well. Where are you going Mr Clown?"

"Who are you?!?"

The fox masked man with a friendly smile introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you Mr Clown! My name is Yemon!"

"Good for you but I have to go!"

"Oh not so fast."

Yemon blocked his path and proceeded to latch onto him. Just before Yemon could grapple onto him, Morikawa pulled out a short knife and slashed at him.

His attack was evaded easily. Yemon jumped high and put one of his hands on Morikawa's head.

Yemon landed directly behind him and locked his arms with Morikawa's. After that, he executed a judo move which threw him near Park Shin Hye.

"Gaha!"

Pain and astonishment from the acrobatic movement emerged.

Shin Hye took that opportunity and kicked the clown mask while being tied.

"You bitch!"

"Come on, just calm down."

Yemon stood in between Shin Hye and Morikawa. He sat down ignoring the girl. Then he took off the clown mask.

"...Oya?"

Morikawa was worried about his life. The fox mask stared at him, disrupting Morikawa's thought and instilling the fear of death.

"You are a good-looking man, for a rapist."

"...?"

A short confusing moment was followed by Morikawa pleading.

"Please don't kill me!"

"It is alright. I am not here to kill. I want you to join me."

"Anything! I'll do anything, but don't kill me!"

Yemon found it strange that such claims exited this rapist's mouth. He observed the criminal, finding no trace of dishonesty.

'Is he really serious about what he is saying?'

Willingness to do anything for the sake of his life. Yemon witnessed many who turned their words at the last moment.

Right now, he inclined to believe those frightened eyes of the man in front of him.

However, he shrugged it off and continued to persuade him.

"First thing first. I want to confirm some stuff with you. Answer honestly."

"Yes! I will do it!"

"What is your name?"

"It is Morikawa Katashi!"

"Are you a Magic-User?"

"Yes! I have the power to erase memories! That is all. I swear!"

"Okay, okay. No need to be so enthusiastic. Ok next. Are you being investigated by the police, Heroes or SMF?"

Morikawa replied with less volume in his tone.

".....I think I am."

"Do you go by an alias?"

"...Jo."

Yemon was not surprised by his nickname. Hoga pinpointed and assured that the clown masked man he showed on a video was indeed his suggested target.

Jo was a mysterious being to the population.

Multiple women started to claim that a part of their life was missing. It was definitely weird from the beginning and it was left

However, since the number of women claiming the same thing skyrocketed, the matter became serious.

The police and Heroes suspected that there were some of the kind powers involved, most possibly a Magic-User selfishly using their powers.

Nonetheless, it did not lead to any credible culprits, just theorizing.

The women won't remember what happened to them in a small part of their life. Since the victims themselves has no recollections, the case did not delve too deep due to lack of evidence.

It mostly happened around the Fukuoka, Oita and Kumamoto prefecture.

The officials named this mysterious individual who caused these incidents 'Jo'.

The populace was furious about not having any results. But what can they do? Several people who may have seen the victims with the assailant, could all have experienced the power of that 'Jo' to leave no trail.

'That is exactly the one Zaizen wants in the list.'

Yemon pondered but he still had to go about with this Jo.

"Tell me, Jo. Would you want to join me? It is a band of people trying to save Japan. I need you."

".....Really?"

He was getting trapped too easily. Yemon cautiously negotiated with Jo.

"In return, anything you wish for will be granted."

He leaned forward to emphasize his promise.

"And I literally mean anything."

Yemon grinned more evilly to add pressure, however, it had the opposite reaction expected.

"Anything!"

This time, it was Jo who leaned near Yemon's face. With sparkling eyes, he desired an answer.

"Like, will I get a foreign woman? The latest gaming console? The most expensive model of phone? A diamond laced watch? Say, can I get all of it?"

Morikawa forgot his fear and indulged in his own fantasy of greed. Yemon looked at him like a kid anticipated gifts from their parents.

"Y-Yeah. Anything you wish for." Yemon along with it.

'This guy is really serious.'

Morikawa leaned back and relaxed around Yemon.

"Wow, this is so sick. Do I become a Hero if I come with you?"

"Somewhat. If you work hard then you will surely achieve your dream."

"Awesome!"

"MMmmmm!!"

A woman's troubled voice interrupted their little conversation. They both looked at Shin Hye. Jo blurted out.

"Ah, why is she here?"

Yemon blankly looked at him and contemplated,

'Is he an idiot?'

Now Yemon wondered if Zaizen picked the right target for his project. Forgetful and clumsy. How would Yemon cope with that?

"Say, Jo, I want to see your power in person."

"Certainly."

Jo stood up and approached Shin Hye. She tried scampering back. Shin Hye wanted Yemon to save her, not for Jo to come near her.

He put his hand on her head and paused. After a few second, Shin Hye stopped moving and fell unconscious. Shortly after, she woke up and asked.

"Um, where am I?"

*Bam*

Jo punched Shin Hye in the face, making her lose consciousness again.

Yemon spectated all of that.

Now that he thought about it, this power could be favourable if used cleverly. The only problem was the holder of that power.

"How was it? It's cool isn't it."

Jo excitedly asked Yemon. But to his surprise, he received Yemon's unimpressed expression.

"Not really."

*Beep* *Beep*

Yemon's phone rang and saw an unknown number.

"Wait a minute." He beckoned Jo to wait.

He sighed and answered it with silence.

"Yo Yemon, I have found another one."