Masashi carried Hirota Katsutoshi back to the hotel, although the middle-aged man threw up twice along the way. If he weren't Kazumi's father, Masashi would have left this drunken fool behind.
When Masashi placed a warm towel on his face, Hirota Katsutoshi regained a bit of clarity.
"Who…who are you? You look familiar," he muttered.
Masashi smirked internally—what a father indeed, so drunk he couldn't even recognize his own son.
"Don't you remember? I just bought you a drink at the bar," Masashi replied, changing the story a bit.
"Oh, I see. Thank you, you're such a nice person," Hirota replied, immediately warming up to him.
"You seem troubled. Do you want to talk about it?" Masashi asked.
"Troubled? No, I'm extremely happy! Ha…" Hirota laughed loudly.
"You're definitely troubled. Talking it out might make you feel better."
"Is…is that true?" the middle-aged man asked uncertainly.
"Of course. I've tried it myself. Talking about it will make you feel so much better." Masashi softened his tone.
"But…I…I can't say it," Hirota's face showed a struggle.
"Why not? If you let it out, you won't feel so burdened. Besides, there's no one else here—no one will hear whatever you say," Masashi coaxed.
"Well…"
"Don't worry; no one will hear us."
"I… I really regret it…"
"That's right. Keep talking, slowly."
"I…I did something terrible to my…daughter… Because of that, my wife divorced me…"
Over the next half hour, through broken and intermittent sentences, Masashi learned the whole truth from the man. In that instant, Masashi almost couldn't resist killing this despicable person.
"I didn't mean to; I really didn't want to… I don't know what came over me that day; I really didn't want to…" the man kept muttering, repeating himself.
To have done something so vile to a young girl… Masashi looked at him, a chilling smile on his face. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you atone for this."
**
When Kazumi woke up, she glanced at the clock—it was past 2 a.m. She realized she had cried herself to sleep.
She left her room and found that the previously messy living room had been tidied up. On the table was a note: There's food in the kitchen.
A warm feeling arose in her heart.
She felt a pang of guilt, recalling how harshly she had spoken to him earlier. Troubled, she went to Masashi's room and was about to knock when she heard his voice inside.
"Is that you, Akamatsu Ryuuichirou? It's Masashi. Remember me?"
"I need you to do something. I want to deal with someone named Hirota Katsutoshi. Male, around forty. You can look up the details yourself."
"Don't kill him or beat him up. I just want him castrated. Yes, castrated. I want him to become Japan's last eunuch. I don't care if it looks like an accident, whatever works. Just make sure there are no loose ends—I don't want trouble down the line."
"Thanks in advance. Goodbye." Masashi hung up.
Kazumi's heart pounded. She had never seen this side of Masashi. From his tone, it seemed he knew everything. Had their mother told him?
She then heard Masashi making another call.
"Mom? It's Masashi. Sorry to wake you so late."
After a moment, Kazumi heard him speak softly, "Mom, divorce him. According to Japanese law, if you've been separated for over two years, you can unilaterally end the marriage."
"Mom, don't lie to me. I already know."
A long silence followed.
"Don't worry, that beast didn't come to us. Kazumi told me. Don't worry."
"Mom, don't cry. I'll take good care of Kazumi. She won't suffer any harm again."
"After the divorce, let's use your maiden name. I don't want his name anymore."
"No matter what happens, Kazumi and I will always support you."
"Take care of yourself. Don't worry about us. I'm hanging up now. Goodbye."
The room fell silent again.
After a long hesitation, Kazumi finally knocked.
"Come in."
"Kazumi, it's kinda late. You're not asleep yet?"
Kazumi didn't respond; she just looked at him.
"You must be hungry. I'll warm up some food." Masashi assumed she was still upset.
Suddenly, Kazumi rushed over, hugging him tightly and burying her face in his chest, sobbing.
Masashi stayed quiet, gently stroking her hair.
After a while, Kazumi lifted her tear-streaked face and whispered, "Thank you, brother."
It was the first time he had heard her call him that. Stunned for a moment, he then smiled and said, "Silly girl, you're my sister. No need to thank me. You must be starving. Let's eat first, okay?"
Kazumi nodded gently.
Masashi went to the kitchen to heat up the food as Kazumi stood quietly behind him, watching.