Tachibana and Eri and Ai
Manager Tachibana’s PoV
While I was desperately trying to clear my head, my phone rang.
Who’s it, when I’m so busy?
I have so many things to think about. I don’t have enough time. I don’t want anyone around when I’m busy.
The name of an old toy appeared on my phone.
Ikenobu Eri.
She’s the girl I ruined by introducing her to Kondo-kun when we were in middle school.
I think she was a childhood couple, just like Eiji-kun.
[Long time no see, sorry, I just want to ask you a few questions… Are you close to Kondo-kun, Tachibana-san?]
I felt my blood run cold.
There was no way she could have found out. As for her and Kondo-kun, all I did was just set up a place for them to meet. We were only in touch behind the scenes, and on the surface, we were just classmates.
Even when we had secret meetings, we were careful not to find out.
[What, all of a sudden? Yes, we went to junior high and high school together, so we talk when we see each other, but…not to that extent. He…I mean, it’s just that he’s such a jerk after I found out about it recently…]
I tried to keep my mind as calm as possible as I replied.
Soon I got a reply.
[That’s right. You can’t possibly do that. You know how close he and I were, and you wouldn’t betray me, right? I can trust you, can’t I?]
What? You’re just my toy!
[Of course. I can’t be that cruel. Kondo-kun and I are just classmates. I would never lie to you.]
Even when she was dating him, I was having a relationship with him.
But she didn’t notice. No, maybe she didn’t dare to notice. Because he was all she had left. I think she forced herself to believe that. That’s why she was my toy.
[Thank you. I’m sorry for asking such a strange question out of the blue. I’m really sorry. I believe you.]
I sigh as I look at the gibberish. She could be a clue to my problems if I use her well. At worst, I might be able to put all the blame on her and get away with it. After all, she has a deeper relationship with Kondo-kun than I do.
Little by little, I seemed to see the light.
“Thank you, Ikenobu Eri. You really are a beautiful toy.”
I smiled wickedly. I started thinking of ways to blame her for all my crimes.
Eri’s PoV
“I believe you, huh?”
Time passed cold and lonely, as if it had stopped.
I shivered and unconsciously clutched my cell phone tightly…
Ai’s PoV
I went home and looked at the report Kuroi sent me.
Apparently, it was Manager Tachibana who caused Endo-san and Ikenobu-san to break up. It’s too well done to be a coincidence. The people around her were constantly involved in cases, and she just watched from a distance.
But she, the potential true mastermind, is now backed into a corner. If she can’t make calm decisions…
Get into the gap of her shortcomings, control her calmly and intelligently, and make her impatient…
If she’s in a hurry, she’ll make a mistake and get out of control. The fact that many people are already involved is out of control; the frenzy will quickly reach a breaking point.
Impatient people are easy to control.
When I think about it, I can’t help but feel self-loathing. This is me, whom I hate the most. Controlling others for your own benefit.
For now, let’s use this terrible hereditary effectively.
If it helps me protect the person I love the most. I’m fine.
The trap is set and will explode tomorrow…