“The issue is how to corner Yamasaki. I’ve dug into it quite a bit myself, but I haven't found any dirt that’s definitively usable. Have you turned up anything?”
By the time I’d gotten used to Hanako-san’s detached tone, the conversation finally reached the heart of the matter.
For the most part, Hanako-san and I had been the only ones talking; everyone else was content to simply listen.
“For now, I have some RAIN history and a photo suggesting Yamasaki might be involved with actual criminals,” I said.
“A photo showing ties to criminals?”
She reacted instantly to the mention of the photo Yuji had given me.
Of course, it was only a ‘might’... It probably wouldn’t be enough to serve as the deciding factor in our final confrontation.
“Here, look at this.”
When I held out my smartphone screen, Hanako-san, who had been stoic until then, actually looked surprised. She stared intently at my face.
Was the content really that shocking?
“Hey, where did you get this photo?”
“My best friend supposedly got it from an acquaintance.”
She fell silent for a moment, looking thoughtful, and then nodded. What was that reaction about?
“I see. It’s all connected, then. Tachibana-kun was investigating Yamasaki for your sake, Takanashi-kun.”
I hadn't expected Yuji’s name to pop up here. That meant Hanako-san was the woman Yuji had mentioned—the one who had been going around investigating Yamasaki. If that was the case, I owed her a proper thank you.
“Hanako-san, so you were the one who gave Yuji that data! I have to thank you. Because of that information, I was able to crush Yamasaki’s associates today!”
I gave her a brief rundown of what had happened and confirmed that the photo had been a huge help. I also showed her the RAIN history I’d managed to snag as a result.
“I see. I’m glad it was useful. However, this RAIN history is just like the photo—it doesn't prove anything for certain. This alone isn't enough to use against him.”
I agreed. On its own, he could just claim they were acquaintances and argue it had nothing to do with any criminal incident.
As I nodded, Hanako-san began tapping away at her own smartphone.
“On my end, I have this. It might not be immediately useful either, but it’s a photo of the woman I believe is his primary target right now. She seems to be a real high-class lady.”
She handed me the phone. The woman pictured with Yamasaki was wearing something that looked like a gown. She had long black hair, much like Sara-san’s. Even in a photo, her beauty was striking.
Well, she still didn't beat Sara-san, though.
“Let’s see, let me have a look.”
“Kazunari-san, please show me as well.”
I angled the smartphone so that Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai—who had circled around behind me—could see the screen.
“So this is Yamasaki… and the girl is… huh?”
“Oh, could it be…”
The two of them reacted immediately upon seeing the woman. Did they know her?
“Hey, Sara, isn't this Eririn?”
Eririn? That was a very friendly nickname.
“Y-Yes, it’s Eri. Why her…? She is certainly a high-class lady, but still.”
It seemed they definitely recognized her. Based on Natsumi-senpai’s tone, they were on good terms, yet I hadn't heard that name once since meeting Sara-san. Did that mean she didn't attend our school?
“Sara-san, do you know this woman?”
“Yes. Actually, you’re indirectly related to her too, Kazunari-san. That flowerbed we’re always taking care of? Eri was the one who originally created it.”
“Wh-Whaaaaaat!?”
I think that was the biggest shock I’d had all day.
“There now, Kazunari-san. Have you calmed down?”
I only meant to be a little surprised, but Sara-san had suddenly told me to calm down and pulled my head against her chest, patting me and cooing, “There, there.”
I should have told her to stop, that I was fine, and that we were in public… but those words were never going to come out of my mouth. I’m sorry; I couldn’t help but indulge in her sweetness, regardless of our surroundings.
“…Hey, is it always like this?” Hanako-san asked, looking thoroughly fed up.
Todo-san just gave a strained, polite smile. “Yes. It can’t be helped. I’m just enduring it for the sake of taking down Yamasaki.”
Hanako-san was pretty sharp-tongued. Then again, I was the one acting like a fool right now, so I couldn't really complain.
“So, she’s an acquaintance, then?” Hanako-san prompted.
Natsumi-senpai was the one who answered. “Yeah. Her name is Eri Nishikawa. She used to go to our school. She’s one of Sara’s few best friends—”
“Shall I silence that mouth of yours for saying unnecessary things?”
Natsumi-senpai instantly shut up under the weight of Sara-san’s ‘pressure,’ which was far too intense to be a joke. That really was a stray remark…
“A-Anyway, we were friends. But she moved away and transferred. Sara, are you still in touch with her?”
“I contacted her once shortly after we started our second year. She seemed busy, so we only spoke for a moment.”
That meant we could reach her if we needed to. We were at a dead end on our own, so I hoped we could hear something that might change the game.
“Then, can you get a hold of her?”
Hanako-san was clearly on the same page as me, eager to find a breakthrough in this unexpected development. I had to admire how she spoke so casually to Sara-san. Anyone else at our school would have been too terrified to try.
“Sara-san, I also—”
I started to speak, but Sara-san’s index finger lightly brushed my lips to silence me.
“If it’s for your sake, Kazunari-san, I will gladly do whatever I can.”
She gave me a radiant, gentle smile, then took out her smartphone and started a call. I hoped she would pick up… if she was busy, I wanted to schedule a time to talk as soon as possible.
“Hello? It’s been a while. What’s up, Sara?”
The call went through as a RAIN Video Call, and Eri Nishikawa appeared on the screen.
“It has been a long time. I am sorry for the sudden call. I had something urgent to discuss with you, Eri. Do you have a moment?”
“I’m fine today! Sorry about before; I was just heading out when you reached out last time.”
Good, it looked like she had time to talk. Now we just needed some useful information.
“Not at all. To get straight to the point, do you know Kazuma Yamasaki?”
Sara-san didn't pull any punches. Upon hearing the name, Eri-san’s expression shifted to one of slight surprise.
“I’m a bit shocked. To think you’d know Yamasaki-san, Sara.”
“So you do know him. There is something I want to confirm before we go further. What kind of person is Kazuma Yamasaki to you? Please be blunt.”
If we didn't confirm their relationship, we wouldn't know how much we could reveal. If he was her fiancé or something, we’d have to be very careful with our explanation.
Eri-san let out a meaningful, dry smirk.
“There’s no need to mince words with you, Sara. To be perfectly honest, Yamasaki is an eyesore. I have a good idea of what he’s after, but it’s a nuisance because I can't just brush him off due to his business ties with my father.”
Perfect!
With that, it felt safe to talk openly. Hanako-san looked visibly relieved, while Tachikawa-san and Todo-san were actually high-fiving in the background.
“I see. Then I will speak freely. Yamasaki is—”
“A piece of trash like him—you should just dump him immediately, Eririn!”
Natsumi-senpai crowded into the frame next to Sara-san, cutting into the conversation.
“Natsumi! It’s been ages. You seem as energetic as ever, but do try not to trouble Sara too much.”
Pfft.
Having that said to her so bluntly made Natsumi-senpai puff out her cheeks in protest. “I’m not a trouble! If anything, I’m the one giving Sara advice and helping her out…”
“Both of you, we have an important matter to discuss first, so save the catching up for later. We are talking about the piece of trash named Yamasaki.”
Sara-san steered the conversation back on track. I was actually curious about their friendship, but Yamasaki was the priority.
“Eri, please tell us why Yamasaki has been approaching you.”
If there was a motive beyond Hanako-san’s theory that she was his ‘primary target,’ it could be the ammunition we needed.
“It’s a simple story. Yamasaki’s father has known my father for a long time. A while back, the management of Yamasaki’s company took a turn for the worse. Since then, they’ve been receiving personal loans and business referrals from my father. That’s why Yamasaki is trying so hard to curry favor with me.”
So that guy, who constantly bragged about being loaded, was actually drowning in debt…
He suddenly looked incredibly pathetic.
“It’s disgusting how familiarly he tries to act with me. I can see right through him—he doesn't just have one ulterior motive; he has dozens. To put it bluntly, it’s repulsive.”
The way she spoke, it felt like she might be willing to cooperate. As I suspected, when a rational person looked at Yamasaki, that was the inevitable conclusion.
I suppose I’m not the crazy one after all.