Chapter 96 Endo and Yumi

Endo and Yumi

Endo’s PoV

I saw the news on the Internet about the destruction of Kondo and his family. No real names yet, but I guess it’s just a matter of time. This will really complete my revenge in a way.

If this spreads, Kondo’s father will be finished. He will probably resign as councilor, and his main business, construction, will be ruined. It seems that Councilor Kondo’s company uses his status to get contracts from the city and prefecture. It’s a tradition of previous generations. If it fails, their lifeline will collapse.

The Kondo family will probably have to pay damages for the bullying and violence, and their main business will be damaged even more, and they will go out of business.

Now I can finally get my revenge.

The day I had longed for for several years had finally come, but my heart was not clear.

Aono’s honor hadn’t been restored. He was the first friend besides Yumi to reach out to me when I was sinking into despair. Now that I think about it, I realize that he was a really important friend. If his honor is not restored, the true revenge will never end.

As I stared at the ceiling with mixed emotions, my phone rang. It was a text message. I thought it was a friend from high school, and when I checked it, I saw a name I had missed.

Yumi Domoto: [Good evening. Sorry for the suddenness. I wonder if you can find some time tomorrow night. I have something else I want to talk about. I knew the short time we had the other day wasn’t enough.]

I’ll have to buy Imai some ramen noodles next time. All these years, I’ve been in a perpetual loop of gloom and resentment toward Kondo. Now that he’s fading away, I miss my old middle school friends.

I replied quickly.

[Where shall we meet?]

I was surprised to find that I had already assumed that we would meet.

Takayanagi-sensei said this to me.

“I think it’s time for you to forgive yourself. Endo did his best. I think making yourself happy is also revenge on Kondo. You must be happy to be envied by him, and that’s your duty.”

Until now, I didn’t think I deserved it.

I caused my parents a lot of trouble. As a high school ronin; I had no filial piety towards my parents. I almost lost contact with my friends. If I had been more determined about Eri’s case, my future might have been different. That’s why I always thought I was the worst person.

But then I realized that it was just that idea that was causing pain to those around me and to myself. Both Imai and Takayanagi-sensei told me to forgive myself. Maybe I could move on. So I can finally face Yumi, whom I rejected and hurt.

I want to return the favor. Maybe it is too late. If so, there’s nothing I can do. All I can do is apologize. But at least I want to apologize sincerely. I need to tell her how much I appreciate her reaching out to me.

[See you tomorrow after school in front of the train station. There’s a cafe I want to go to, will you come with me?]

I replied quickly.

[I look forward to it.]

Councilor Kondo’s PoV

I received a message from my secretary asking me to check the online news immediately.

What I had just said and done had been recorded and broadcast to the whole world. I’m sure the Internet Special Team will soon find out who I am.

And with Ai Ichijo’s threats, there was nothing I could do. That’s the thing, if I make an enemy of her, I’ll have more enemies than the media.

No matter which way I go, I’m doomed. I cannot escape my fate of destruction.

“No, no way!!! No way!!! No way!!!!!”

Screams echo through the house. It is only a matter of time before I have to leave this house. The harsh reality is closing in.

My phone rings.

[Is this the right number of Kondo-san? I’m sorry to call you at this hour, but my name is Nanami from the Nihon Asahi Shimbun…]

How did they get my number? Frightened, I hung up. But, immediately, a call came in from another number.

“I can’t take it anymore…”

I turned off the phone. But soon the house phone rang. I unplugged it.

I’m doomed. I realize that the only result of my actions was this.

“Not again. Please!!!”

The sleepless nights continue.