"I killed Fukuyama… No, he doesn't deserve the name Fukuyama. He should be called Kimura. He's an animal!"
The butler clenched his fists, speaking through gritted teeth.
Seeing him suddenly kneel and admit to the murder, the Gunma police officers were momentarily stunned before quickly stepping forward to restrain him.
"Where's the gun you used?"
Megure asked urgently.
Although Japan doesn't outright prohibit firearms, it's extremely difficult to legally obtain one. A weapon used in such a case must be sent to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department immediately.
"I threw it into the garden, just like Mr. Fujiwara said. I made sure to wipe it clean, no fingerprints left. When the police find it, they can say the killer panicked, tossed the weapon, and fled."
"But what I didn't expect… is that after searching so long, the police still haven't found the gun."
His words made the Gunma officers look a bit embarrassed.
The Gunma police chief quickly ordered his subordinates to resume the search in the garden.
At that moment, the butler raised his pant leg. As the tense police watched him closely, he chuckled, "Relax. I'm just taking out the silencer."
Only then did the officers notice a silencer tucked into his sock.
He tossed it to the ground and, knowing there was no way out, muttered his reason for the killing, more to unburden himself than to excuse it.
"Kimura was a beast. Back then, he sweet-talked the young lady. The old master disliked him even while alive, but after he got the young lady pregnant, he used the child to pressure the family into letting him marry in."
"After the marriage, he behaved well and was competent, gradually earning the old master's trust and gaining a high position in the Fukuyama company."
"But after the old master died, his true nature came out. He started abusing the young lady at home. She was gentle and patient, enduring it for the sake of their years together."
"But that wasn't enough for him. He started having affairs with female employees and even plotted to seize the Fukuyama family's assets."
"The young lady was so enraged her health began to decline. And this beast, while she was still recovering, kept multiple mistresses outside. He even brought them home, being intimate in front of the sick young lady."
"She died from the anger. And he took the opportunity to take over the company and all of the family's assets."
The butler looked at Yukiko and said, "...Ms. Yukiko, Kimura never had good intentions. He had a crush on you back in middle school, but you got married."
"Now that he's in control of everything, his ambitions have only grown. The reason he invited you here this time wasn't so simple."
Yukiko had already suspected Kimura's intentions thanks to Toru's warning, but she hadn't expected that her former classmate had done such despicable things.
"I regret it. I only wish I had killed him while the young lady was still alive. Now that she's gone… what's the point of killing him now..."
The butler knelt and sobbed, his wailing heart-wrenching.
He wiped his eyes and looked at Toru. "But I didn't expect Mr. Fujiwara to have such sharp observation and reasoning skills."
"If I had known how capable you were, I wouldn't have acted today. I should've waited until he invited guests again."
"But I couldn't hold it in any longer. I just couldn't stand seeing that disgusting face again."
Toru exhaled and spoke calmly, "This has nothing to do with my ability. Your method of killing was simply full of flaws."
"Even without me, once the police did ballistic analysis and an autopsy, you'd be a prime suspect."
Megure felt incredibly embarrassed.
Pease… stop talking. If not for you, we really might have just written this off as a random robbery or a business competitor's hit.
After all, the butler had a perfect alibi, and was one of the first people the police ruled out.
"I'm sorry. I truly sympathize with what happened to the Fukuyama family. But as a police officer, I have to arrest you and bring you to justice."
Megure patted the butler's shoulder, signaling the other officers to escort him away.
He had seen too many similar cases. Some killers were indeed pitiful, but the law was the law.
The butler didn't resist. "I'm already old. I'm willing to go to prison."
"I served the Fukuyama family my whole life. The old master and young lady were good to me. To take out that evil for them... I'm satisfied."
Eri suddenly said, "Sir, I can be your lawyer when you go to trial. No fees—"
Before she could finish, a crisp, clear voice cut her off. "I'll pay the fees."
Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a girl in a school uniform dragging a suitcase, walking into the manor.
"Young lady, why are you back from America? I thought you went overseas to study..."
The butler was startled.
The girl looked sorrowful. "I knew Father killed Mother. How could I stay in America? Grandpa Kuroki, why... why would you throw your life away like this?"
The butler smiled. "With his death, you are the heir to the Fukuyama company. The company will return to its rightful owners. My life doesn't matter."
He was taken away, and Miss Fukuyama gave a sincere apology to Toru and the others. Since the culprit had been caught, the police only took brief statements from them before letting them go.
Yukiko drove, with Toru and Eri in the car.
Watching the sunset through the window, Yukiko sighed. "I didn't expect to waste a whole day because of this. If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to the Fukuyama family."
Then she noticed Eri in the rearview mirror, lost in thought. "Eri, what are you thinking about?"
Eri snapped out of it and smiled faintly. "I was just wondering... could the real mastermind be Miss Fukuyama?"
"She could've conspired with the butler to kill Kimura, and the butler just took the blame."
Yukiko was shocked. "Eri, your thoughts are too dark!"
Eri laughed wryly. "I've seen too much of this in court. Fathers and sons turning on each other, brothers fighting, married couples tearing each other apart... After seeing so many cases, it's hard not to think this way."
Toru chuckled. "Your suspicion is grounded, but from my observations, that girl doesn't have that kind of cunning."
"If she did, she'd be terrifying. Being able to orchestrate the murder of her own father, and plot such a seamless cover-up? Her future would be limitless."
"But unfortunately, she doesn't. Her grief and confusion weren't fake. What I'm more worried about is what happens next."
He had encountered all kinds of people. Unless someone could act on Vermouth's level, they couldn't fool him.
Yukiko asked, "Why do you say that?"
"If she really had the skills to take down her own father, she could easily handle the board at the Fukuyama company."
"But if she doesn't… how is she going to deal with those seasoned businessmen at her age?"
"Honestly, I'm not optimistic about the company's future. The only question is whether that girl can hold out under the pressure."
Toru shook his head. Just stating the facts.
Not wanting to dwell on such a depressing topic, Yukiko perked up. "Enough talk! Let's have dinner and go drinking tonight!"
The three of them found a nice restaurant for dinner. After night fell, they headed to a lively bar.
Yukiko had a rebellious nature. Quiet bars weren't her style. She craved heavy metal and wild energy.
They sat at a booth in a dark corner of the bar. A single flickering candle lit the table, while a heavy metal band on stage screamed through the speakers.
The dim lighting, pounding rhythms, and roaring crowd quickly turned up the heat in the atmosphere.
At some point, Yukiko had slid next to Toru, cheering and clapping along with the crowd. Wooden trays of shot glasses filled the table.
Yukiko pulled Eri in, and the two of them downed glass after glass. Toru didn't like alcohol, but to keep up with the mood, he drank a few cocktails with Yukiko.
Yukiko's slim and curvy body leaned close to Toru's. Her cheeks were flushed, maybe from the alcohol. Her long fingers rested on Toru's thigh, gently sliding up and down, the air between them thick with ambiguity.
"Fujiwara-kun, I really have to thank you today. If not for you, I wouldn't have realized that guy Kimura had such bad intentions."
"And... you were really handsome when you solved the case."
Her soft lips brushed his ear as she whispered, her breath warm and teasing.
"Yukiko-nee, what did you say? I didn't catch that."
The bar was too noisy. Toru didn't hear her clearly, or rather, he pretended not to. He turned to face her, looking at her exquisite, mature face.
"I said, Fujiwara-kun, you're very handsome! Thank you!"
Yukiko shouted like she'd gone crazy.
"Then, Yukiko-nee, what's my reward?"
"What kind of reward do you want, little brother?"
Yukiko giggled, her soft body practically melting into Toru's.
"Shouldn't I get a kiss from big sister?"
"Hahaha, you're so naughty. I'm a married woman."
Yukiko's words were shy, but her actions were anything but.
She leaned in, wrapped her arms around his head, and kissed him, holding him close.
Toru couldn't resist and began to stroke her legs.
Eri, sitting nearby, covered her face.
Yukiko was clearly acting drunk. Her tolerance wasn't that low.
But Eri really did have a low tolerance. Her head was pounding already.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)