Chapter 82: Intimate Time with Mai, Preparing to Take Onimaru Kunitsuna
Not just in Wakayama, but in cities across Sakura Prefecture, identical airships with banners were floating, creating a promotional spectacle.
Such a scene naturally attracted the attention and discussion of the masses.
They looked at the words on the banner in mid-air, a slightly confused look on their faces.
"Sakurajima... Mai?"
"Who is that?"
"The name sounds so familiar."
"National-level actress... wait a minute, isn't that the Sakurajima Mai who retired from the entertainment industry two years ago?"
"Yes... yes! Now that you mention it, I remember too. Sakurajima Mai."
"Right, didn't she officially retire two years ago?"
"Is she making a comeback!?"
"The banner is vague; it only says she will appear on the office building delivery day to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It doesn't mention anything about her acting career."
"You don't understand this, right? That's exactly the effect they want."
....
In front of this impactful scene, all pedestrians who saw the airship and banner recalled the name Sakurajima Mai once again.
The cognition of millions, or even tens of millions of people in Sakura Prefecture, invisibly clashed with Mai's Adolescence Syndrome, which wished for everyone in the world to forget her.
The result was self-evident.
At the same time, seeing the airship and banner, Mai herself realized something she hadn't been aware of.
She no longer wished for everyone to forget her.
At the very least, she hoped there was one person who would never forget her.
Sakurajima Mai found a reason to be firmly remembered by this world.
....
Meanwhile, in Chiba Prefecture.
"Sakurajima... Mai..."
Looking at the airship in the sky, Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes first became a bit confused, but after a while, they returned to that shrewd clarity.
She looked at the words on the banner and murmured.
"So it's that Sakurajima Mai... How could I have forgotten before?"
Everyone who had forgotten Mai's existence but heard her name from Yoru, like Haruno and the three members of the Super-Quant Club, had a very wonderful feeling.
Like dusty memories finally being awakened.
As if waking from a dream, they remembered everything at this moment.
"This time..."
Haruno looked up at the airship and banner in the sky, shook her head with a dumbfounded smile, and said.
"Just like Yoru-kun said, I owe him another favor."
The cost and application for the airship promotion were all carried out by the Yukinoshita Construction Company; Yoru didn't pay a penny.
Even so, after recalling Mai's identity, Haruno immediately realized she indeed owed a favor this time.
Sakurajima Mai wasn't just an ordinary actress.
Debuting as a child star and starring in multiple morning dramas, she was a household name in Sakura Prefecture.
If it were just that, it would be fine.
Actresses take endorsements. Spending millions to invite her to cut the ribbon on the day the office building is completed might even be considered paying a premium.
But two years ago, Mai, who was at the peak of her career, suddenly announced her indefinite retirement from the entertainment industry.
This incident caused an uproar in Sakura Prefecture back then.
Everyone was guessing: why did Sakurajima Mai suddenly announce her retirement at the peak of her career?
Opinions varied.
Some said she had a boyfriend and got pregnant out of wedlock, so she had to hide because she couldn't cover her figure.
Some said she went for plastic surgery.
Others speculated mental disorders, depression, being ostracized, and so on.
However, facing the doubts and curiosity of the public, Mai never responded directly, nor did she accept interviews from any media reporters during this period.
The specific promotional content on the banner was done by Haruno according to Yoru's request.
It didn't mention whether Mai would make a comeback, nor did it mention any special connection she had with the Yukinoshita Construction Company.
Vague and ambiguous.
What they wanted was exactly this effect that could trigger heated discussions.
Let alone spending a few million.
Even if they spent tens of millions, without the mysterious former national idol Sakurajima Mai, who was already famous and filled with mystery due to her sudden retirement at her peak...
The Yukinoshita Construction Company would definitely not achieve such a good promotional effect.
.....
On the other side, Wakayama City, inside the hotel room.
Yoru turned his head, looked at Mai who was staring out the window with a dazed and overwhelmed expression, and chuckled lightly.
"How is it? This solution is pretty good, right?"
"I said I wouldn't let you disappear."
At this moment, Mai was thoroughly shocked and murmured.
"Did everyone in Wakayama City see this airship and banner..."
"Wakayama?"
Yoru shook his head.
"Mai-san, your vision is still too small."
"Not just Wakayama, pedestrians in every city in Sakura Prefecture saw this banner."
Hearing Yoru's words, Mai's pupils shrank in shock, and her heart skipped half a beat.
She looked incredulous.
"All... all of Sakura Prefecture? Every city has such an airship and banner?"
"Correct, the content is the same too."
After getting Yoru's affirmative answer, Mai felt her brain overloading. A wave of dizziness came, and she couldn't help but sit on the sofa.
This scale is a bit too big, isn't it?
Leaving aside the monetary cost of renting so many airships.
Just applying for permits in cities would require greasing so many palms and connections.
Did Yoru create such a big scene just to make the world remember her existence and solve her Adolescence Syndrome?
Debuting as a child star, what fan-chasing scenes hadn't Mai seen?
But she really hadn't seen this scene.
While shocked, Mai also felt an unprecedented emotion in her heart.
She stood up from the sofa, walked to Yoru, and took off her high heels.
Her two jade feet clad in sheer black tights stepped lightly on Yoru's instep. She stood on tiptoe, closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, and left a light kiss on Yoru's lips.
After a brief contact, Mai retreated half a step. With a shy blush on her face but cunning and wit in her eyes, she looked at Yoru with a smile.
"Finally stepped on you once."
Yoru shook his head with a dumbfounded smile.
"Mai-san, are you a kid?"
Normally, Mai, who prided herself on being a mature adult, would definitely deny such an address firmly.
But this time, she lowered her head slightly, walked over without a word, wrapped her arms around Yoru's waist, pressed her exquisite fair face gently against his chest, listening to the steady heartbeat, and said in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's.
"If... being a kid means even willful requests to stay with you a bit longer can be understood, then maybe."
.....
The two spent intimate time together.
Unfortunately, the mysterious magical tool didn't come in handy for now; just cuddling and kissing.
On the return train, Mai noticed passengers in the carriage looking at her with curious eyes, holding phones as if comparing her with photos online.
From this, Mai could confirm one thing.
Her Adolescence Syndrome had disappeared without a trace.
Due to the exaggerated airship tour promotion, her popularity had risen sharply, almost catching up with the peak of her acting career back then.
At the same time, Yoru was also pondering in his heart.
Actually, to cure Mai's Adolescence Syndrome, even for absolute insurance, promoting with an airship in one city and having tens of thousands of people see it would have been enough.
The reason he proposed to Haruno to arrange an airship promotion over every city in Sakura Prefecture was simple.
Yoru just wanted to see if she could do it.
The result was that Haruno not only did it but took hardly any time.
This proved that although the Yukinoshita family's power couldn't compare to top conglomerates like the Shinomiya family, the network accumulated over so many years shouldn't be underestimated.
Also, one more point.
Before everyone recalled Mai, Yoru's plan sounded like throwing money directly into the water.
It might even cause the Yukinoshita Construction Company to lose face.
After all, using such a big array to promote someone who had never existed in their memories attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Even so, Haruno did it.
It showed she had a lot of say within the Yukinoshita Construction Company, no weaker than her mother, the President Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita Haruno possessed both the connections of the Yukinoshita family and the financial foundation of the Yukinoshita Construction Company.
And she herself was indeed a genius.
Most importantly.
Last time in the unfinished building, Haruno had glimpsed a corner of the truth of the world but never mentioned it to anyone.
Perhaps she could become one of his collaborators.
Speaking of collaborators...
Yoru remembered the Tarot card divination result from the Godmother yesterday.
The other party was confused, but as a transmigrator, he knew perfectly well.
Justice, Judgement, Death.
Combined with the Criminal Investigation Bureau Chief named Soichiro Yagami in the police department.
Didn't this refer to Yagami Light?
The key question was.
Did Shinigami (Death Gods) and the Death Note exist in this world?
Neither Miko nor he had seen so-called Shinigami, so presumably not.
Even if there were, Yoru wasn't worried about his personal safety.
Shinigami?
I see you apple-munching guy as an evil spirit too!
Tasted evil spirits, tasted gods, just haven't tasted Shinigami yet.
Coming means extra dishes.
Yoru's view of Yagami Light was a bit complicated.
Light without the Death Note was the perfect genius high school student in the eyes of outsiders, a young man who would inherit his father's career and enter the police department to display his talents in the future.
Light after getting the Death Note was a righteous person acting to change this rotten world and also to break free from a boring life.
However.
When Kira worshippers appeared on the internet and Light's own thoughts were influenced by others, his plan to become the God of the New World had already failed.
Gods don't care what mortals say or how they evaluate them.
However, asking Light, an ordinary high school student, to maintain a mindset of not being pleased by external gains or saddened by personal losses after possessing the power over life and death was indeed unlikely.
As for the debates involving psychology, procedural justice, consequential justice, etc., Yoru wasn't very interested.
In short, with Light's genius mind and dedication to justice, if he could become an aid, it would indeed be a good thing.
But if their paths conflicted and Light became a potential obstacle...
Then Yoru would kill him without hesitation.
....
While Yoru and Mai were taking the train back to Kyoto.
Chiba Prefecture, inside a black luxury car.
"Haruno, you did very well this time."
Mrs. Yukinoshita, wearing a kimono, exuded an aloof aura of a superior and spoke calmly.
"Being able to invite the former idol actress Sakurajima Mai, who retired for two years, will bring unprecedented attention to our Yukinoshita Company."
"Although we are a construction company and don't need to face the public directly, if we can use this opportunity to build momentum for your father's upcoming re-election campaign, or even go a step further and step out of Chiba Prefecture, it is truly a joyous event."
Listening to her mother's words full of calculation and utilitarianism, Haruno just nodded, her eyes showing disinterest.
"Yes, Mother is right."
Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't mind her attitude and continued slowly.
"By the way, regarding that bet, you should have received the report from the company too, right?"
"Yes, I heard."
Haruno pursed her lips, a look of worry appearing between her brows.
The so-called bet was a match between Kengan fighters (斗技者 - Dougisha).
She had heard of such things before, but the Yukinoshita Construction Company at that time wasn't qualified to participate in that circle.
But just this morning, after the airship promotion in various cities of Sakura Prefecture, Mrs. Yukinoshita, as the company president, received a call from the Kyoto City Bank.
The content was a bet.
The conditions were simple.
Both sides would choose a fighter to compete.
If the Yukinoshita family lost, they would donate the office building about to be completed to Kyoto City for free.
If they won, they could win the stake—30 million yen in cash.
A cash flow of 30 million wasn't a small amount even for a construction company of the Yukinoshita family's level.
Moreover, this was an opportunity.
If the Yukinoshita family could win this bet, it meant they officially stepped into the circle formed by the business tycoons of Sakura Prefecture for centuries.
This admission ticket was what Mrs. Yukinoshita valued most.
"Do you have any suitable candidates?"
Hearing her mother's question, Haruno wanted to shake her head, but suddenly, a figure appeared in her mind.
Actually, there really was a suitable candidate.
Last time in the unfinished building, Haruno witnessed the entire process of Yoru fighting evil spirits.
Agile movements, amazing explosive power.
Anti-strike and recovery abilities.
Reaction speed exceeding the limit of normal humans, able to keep up with the movements of evil spirits invisible to the naked eye.
And most importantly.
Enjoying the fun of battle yet showing no mercy to evil spirits—decisive execution.
All these factors combined forged a perfect exorcist.
But similarly, they also met the conditions to become an excellent fighter.
Thinking of this, Haruno bit her lower lip lightly and hesitated.
"Hmm... I can make a call to ask, but I can't guarantee a definite result."
"No matter. Trying is always good."
Mrs. Yukinoshita waved her hand, not caring too much.
As the saying goes: Treat a dead horse as a live one.
Anyway, Mrs. Yukinoshita herself didn't know any powerful fighters. Even offering a high reward, facing a deeply rooted group like the Kyoto City Bank, the chances of winning were probably one in a hundred.
If Haruno could find a suitable candidate she knew well, that would naturally be best.
After all, for this one match.
The bet was tens of millions.
.....
The next evening, 8:00 PM, inside Futaba Rio's large apartment.
"Snacks are back."
Rio, Miko, and Yui each carried a large bag filled with various snacks.
"Here, this."
Rio took out a can of Coca-Cola from the plastic bag and handed it to Yoru.
"I remember you like drinking this, chilled, right?"
"Thanks, thanks."
Yoru took the Coca-Cola, opened it, took a sip, and sighed from the bottom of his heart.
"Has to be Coca-Cola."
The reason the Super-Quant Club members gathered here today was simple.
Tomorrow morning was the date Yoru set to retrieve Onimaru Kunitsuna.
Executors: Futaba Rio, Yotsuya Miko, Yoru.
Logistics Support: Yui Yuigahama.
"By the way..."
Rio looked at Yui not far away, taking snacks out of the bag and arranging them on the table one by one with a sweet smile, and said calmly.
"You really are a gentle person."
Yoru's gaze was on the TV, replying nonchalantly.
"What are you saying? I don't understand."
"Forget it if you don't understand."
Although Rio wasn't good at communicating with people, perhaps because she had been ostracized, she was very sensitive to the emotional changes of those around her.
She could sense that although Yui was always smiling, the feeling of loss when getting along with the Super-Quant Club members recently was becoming more and more serious.
As someone who once felt no one in the world needed her, that she couldn't change anything or do anything, Rio empathized with Yui's thoughts.
In the plan to take Onimaru Kunitsuna, there was clearly no place for Yui, but Yoru still called her when gathering today.