Kondo is Cornered
Kondo’s PoV
After my secret meeting with Eri, I returned home to an expected emptiness. My father was probably at work, and my mother was likely out somewhere. They were known as the masked couple.
As long as I could leverage their status, I didn’t care. A high social standing was an advantage, and with great parents, I could handle almost anything. I was also a talented soccer player and a good student.
Thanks to that, my path as a soccer player was open. Even if I retired, I could take over my father’s company. And if he became a congressman, I could step into his role. This is the benefit of the Japanese inheritance system.
“Born into a good family, my life is blessed in every way. Life is easy, and my world is full of roses.”
Oh, how lucky I am to have such amazing parents.
I dared to say these words to myself, trying to counteract the creeping insecurity in my heart.
My monologue echoed through the vast, empty house.
Damn it, I feel pathetic.
Suddenly, the phone rang. It was an unknown number—suspicious. I never answered unfamiliar calls, so I ignored it. But it rang again. And again.
“Who the hell are you?”
I answered in an angry tone.
On the other end, a strange voice, high-pitched as if it had inhaled helium gas, responded.
[Kondo, you’re finished!]
The voice was clownish, almost playful, like it was mocking me.
Was he using some cheap voice changer? Ridiculous. I was about to hang up…
[Don’t hang up. I’m the one who took your photos.]
Damn it. This is the guy. The b🬀🬀tard who’s been after me.
“You son of a b🬀🬀ch! You spread those filthy photos to the soccer club. I’ll never forgive you!”
[Spread? Oh, you mean when I accidentally dropped them in front of the club room? My bad.]
“What do you want?!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs.
[Keep your voice down. Or maybe next time, I’ll ‘accidentally’ drop them somewhere else.]
This b🬀🬀tard!!!
“Don’t mess with me! I’ll kill you! My father’s a councilman. I can cover up small incidents like that, even silence the teachers. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again!”
My blood boiled with rage.
[Oh, really? Then I won’t hesitate either.]
His tone was taunting. Just a bluff.
“I’ll find you, and when I do, I’ll destroy you. I’ll make you regret ever crossing me.”
I’m a genius. Someone like me can do whatever they want. I’ll crush this b🬀🬀tard and make him beg.
[Is that so? It’s a pity you don’t see your own fault in all of this.]
“Fault? Of course not! I’m the king. I’m the chosen one.”
[What about Aono Eiji? The one you bullied and slandered? You know, I’m closer than you think. I’m always watching you.]
His words struck a nerve. How does he know about that guy? Is he a friend of his?
“Aono Eiji? He’s weak. The weak are destined to be prey for the strong. They have no right to complain.”
I calmed myself enough to hang up.
I slammed the phone to the ground, shattering the screen. The pieces mirrored the cracks in my composure.
I’m the chosen one. I’ll be fine. Even if the soccer club abandons me, even if the school turns against me, my future is still bright.
Yes, I’ll get back on track in college.
“Am I scared? Will I be ruined? No way. Keep dreaming…”
But the negativity creeping into my thoughts left me frozen for a moment.
“Damn it! Damn it all!”
Endo’s PoV
“He truly is extraordinary.”
As I walked away from the pay phone, I sighed at the idiocy of the self-proclaimed king. My plan was moving smoothly.
Several seeds had been planted. Now, I just had to wait for them to sprout.