But where could he find this information? Masashi thought. Normally, he could have just called Sakurai Mion, who was responsible for the legitimate business dealings, and this problem would be solved immediately. However, he didn't want to contact the Black Dragon syndicate too soon, so he had to find another way.
As he walked, Masashi pondered his options, but nothing effective came to mind. Then, he noticed an entertainment center ahead, and a light bulb went off in his head.
He entered the entertainment center and found a place to access the internet. Using the knowledge from Hirota Masashi's past, he searched websites for publicly listed company data. Quickly, he found several sites containing company information.
Masashi chuckled; the internet really was a great thing.
Since Japan had numerous listed companies with vast and disorganized data, he only managed to get through part of it by dinnertime. To read it all would take about a week.
Fortunately, it was summer break, so time wasn't an issue.
When he returned home, Kazumi was preparing dinner. Masashi noticed her expression was as cold as usual, as if nothing had happened.
After dinner, Masashi approached Kazumi in the kitchen as she washed the dishes. "Kazumi, I want to talk."
"If it's about that person, don't bother me."
"Kazumi, he's still your father."
"I don't have a father like that." Kazumi turned, her face trembling as she bit her lip.
"Tell me, what happened?" Masashi sensed there was more to the situation than he initially thought.
"It's none of your business." Kazumi regained her composure, dried her hands, and went to her room.
Staring at her closed door, Masashi fell into thought.
For the next few days, Masashi spent time online researching company data, and since he hadn't come up with another way to handle Kazumi's situation, he decided to wait until their mother returned to ask her about it.
One afternoon, as Masashi neared the house, he saw Hirota Katsutoshi, his father in name only, stumbling out of the house in disarray. Following close behind him was Kazumi, clutching a fruit knife.
Masashi couldn't believe what he was seeing. He never imagined that someone like Kazumi would do something so drastic.
But there was no time to think—he ran forward and held back his furious sister.
"Let go of me! Let go!" Kazumi struggled in his grasp.
Having reached his limit, Masashi raised his hand and slapped her.
"You're all a bunch of bastards!" Kazumi covered her face and ran inside.
"Masashi, I…"
"Could you leave for now? This isn't the time to talk." Masashi's mind was racing.
"All right. We'll talk in a few days." With no other choice, Hirota Katsutoshi left.
Inside, Masashi saw the mess scattered across the floor—broken items everywhere.
"Kazumi, can we talk?" he asked, standing at her door.
After a long silence, with no response, Masashi gave up.
So, it's not that simple, he thought. He retrieved the address Hirota Katsutoshi had left days before and stared at it thoughtfully.
Around 9 p.m., Masashi arrived at the hotel where Hirota Katsutoshi was staying, but the clerk informed him that he hadn't returned yet.
"Do you know where he usually goes at this time?"
"Sorry, we don't know," the clerk replied politely.
"Are there any bars nearby?" Masashi remembered the faint smell of alcohol on him.
"There are three nearby; the closest is about 400 meters away. Just take a right when you leave here and walk straight."
"Thank you."
After walking a short distance, Masashi spotted a bar called "Night Beauty" ahead.
He entered, finding himself in a dimly lit space full of an ambiguous atmosphere, where bodies twisted to blaring metal music.
In the center of the dance floor was a circular platform, where a woman wearing an ultra-thin thong and a transparent bra performed a pole dance.
The air was thick with scents of desire, reminding Masashi of livestock pens.
"Hey, handsome, is this your first time here?" A woman dressed as a Playboy Bunny approached with a grin.
"Have you seen a man in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, around forty years old?"
"There are lots of men like that here. Buy me a drink, and we can look together." She assumed he was shy and making an excuse.
"I'm not here for that. Just help me find this man, and the money's yours." Masashi placed a 10,000-yen bill on the table.
"Wait here, I'll go ask around." Thrilled by the easy money, the bunny girl hurried off to inquire.
By the time Masashi finished his third drink, the bunny girl returned.
"There's someone who fits your description. I'll take you to see if it's him. But you can only peek through the door crack, all right? I'll be in big trouble if we anger a customer." She eyed the money in Masashi's hand.
Masashi finished his last half-glass and stood up. "Lead the way."
The bunny girl led Masashi to a private room and motioned for him to look. She gently turned the door handle.
From the crack, he heard a man's laughter mingled with a woman's. Masashi knew he'd found the right person. Without waiting for the bunny girl's reaction, he pushed open the door.
"Who are you? Who let you in here?" the woman sitting on Hirota Katsutoshi's lap screamed.
"Wh-What's going on?" Katsutoshi, looking dazed, asked the hostess.
"Why did you let him disturb the guests? I told you not to cause trouble," the bunny girl protested.
"Junko, so it was you who brought him here. I'll report this to the manager!" the hostess angrily exclaimed.
"No, Kurenai, I don't know this guy; I—"
"Both of you, quiet down. I know this man, and I'm here to take him with me." Masashi picked up the drunk Katsutoshi.
"You can't just take my customer away like that," the hostess protested.
But as soon as Masashi threw her 20,000 yen, she stopped complaining.
"What about the 10,000 yen you promised me?" the bunny girl demanded from the side.