Chapter 151 The Cornered Manager

The Cornered Manager

Manager Tachibana’s PoV

I ended up not going to school. The members of the club sent me messages that sounded like screams. Almost everyone in the club was questioned. Under the circumstances, I was just put on the back burner because I took the day off. No, no, no. Perhaps they’re trying to take advantage of my absence to create chaos among the members of the club.

If the members are pushed into a corner, the club might even disintegrate like a soccer team. Everyone is suspicious and looks like enemies of each other.

Someone may have already betrayed us. But we developed a countermeasure. We tried to be as silent as possible and act like victims of the false rumors being spread. We blame the soccer club and make them the culprit. We try to silence uninvolved club members and scare them away.

“You are the same. Those of you who try to turn a blind eye are just as guilty.”

That’s what we’re telling them. The mass punishment of the soccer team should scare everyone.

Just keep them in fear. That way, everyone had no choice but to obey, and they knew they had to listen to me in order to survive.

Besides, I got rid of all the evidence. Kondo-kun, the monkey, is so stupid that he doesn’t even realize he’s being controlled by me.

There is also viral news on SNS that I use to gather information. Apparently, one of the stupid parents of the soccer team protested against the school and posted an audio recording on the Internet. Really stupid. But this is the greatest opportunity God has given me.

If the news becomes big enough, the school will be busy dealing with it. If that happens, further investigation into the literature club will be delayed. In the meantime, we can deal with the situation. When we have more time, it’ll be easier for us to mentally keep our mouths shut.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I can do it if I go to school tomorrow and take care of it. I can do it…”

I tell myself, forcing myself to calm down.

I turn my attention to the novel submission web on my phone. My novel stares back at me, unread by anyone.

Eri’s PoV

Staggering home from school, I was stopped by a man in a suit.

“Excuse me, you’re Ikenobu Eri-san, right? May I ask you a few words?”

He’s polite, but a bit scary.

I thought for a moment that he was a policeman, but he didn’t have that kind of aura.

“…calling someone out of the blue…”

“My apologies. My name is Aoyama, a private detective. I would like to ask you about Kondo-kun’s case.”

Hearing those words, I felt a chill as if my blood was flowing backwards.

I was about to run away, but his next words lured me like a sweet fruit, and I unconsciously stopped my steps.

“Actually, I have a good relationship with some policemen. If you answer just one question, I can arrange a meeting with Kondo-kun.”

If you can…do that, you can ask me not just one question…

I wanted to say that, but the words didn’t come out. Saying that I can meet him is my last hope…

“Will you promise me?”

“Of course.”

I doubt it, but if I just answer, it shouldn’t be so risky.

“Understood.”

Clinging to such hope, I accept the suspicious man’s offer.

“Then just one question; How did you and Kondo-kun become friends?”

“What? That’s all? Is that…enough?”

“Yes, if you tell me, you can meet Kondo-kun tomorrow.”

Without thinking, my answer just came out.

“That was a study group my friend held, and we got together…”

Hearing those words, his face stiffened slightly.

“May I ask the name of this friend?”

“Well, we still go to the same high school, but we don’t see much of each other anymore, it’s Tachibana-san. She is the manager of the Literature Club …”

The detective in a suit smiled with satisfaction and offered me his business card.

On the back was a note telling me to meet him tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in front of the police station where Kondo-kun was supposedly being held.

“See you tomorrow…”

“Oh, thank you.”

As he leaves, he turns once.

“One last thing. Your meeting with Kondo-kun may have been a trap…”

At first, I didn’t understand what he was saying.

But I couldn’t stop shaking as the words were transmitted through my body.

Before I knew it, the detective had disappeared somewhere.

Kuroi’s PoV

I reported my findings to Ojou-sama. Aoyama is a pseudonym I often use.

Ai-ojousama is truly a terrifying person. Her intuition is too sharp.

Was the woman, Tachibana, involved? There is no definitive proof yet, but one conclusion can be drawn,

She is most likely the mastermind behind it all.

And Ojou-sama…

“Will she even use this Ikenobu Eri? To get closer to the mastermind…”