Chapter 23 The Strongest Assassin, Kato Misa (Maiden Name ~ Yoshino)
"You're really gloomy, aren't you? It's irritating to watch."
During high school, whenever the two of them were alone, Mizuno Shoko would always throw unkind words at Misa from the shadows. Due to Misa's somewhat affluent family, there were times when her money was borrowed without asking.
In short, she was bullied. Misa didn't have many friends.
During break times, Misa, who focused only on studying, stood out in class. Occasionally, someone would strike up a conversation.
"Hey, Yoshino-san, if you took care of your hair and wore contacts, you'd be beautiful, you know?"
It was Kato-kun, the popular guy in class. Bright, athletic, and popular among the girls. Misa herself wasn't fond of him, but she didn't mind him talking to her.
Because...
"Hey, Takashi, stop it. Can't you see Yoshino-san is troubled?"
When Kato-kun talks to her, she can also talk to his friends.
"Eh? You're not in trouble, right? Yoshino-san."
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine..."
"Really? Don't push yourself, okay?"
"Yeah, thanks... Higashimura-kun."
"Wow, Tadayuki is showing kindness again! I guess I'm the bad guy here."
When Kato-kun jokes around, the class bursts into laughter.
Next to him, Higashimura Tadayuki laughs as if he's amazed.
He aspires to the same college and has the same school of choice as Misa.
Sometimes, we run into each other while studying in the library.
When I gather the courage to ask questions, he helps me think through them.
We haven't talked a lot, but we share similar hobbies, like favorite books.
He seems to be bad at sports, and he doesn't exactly have a handsome appearance, but I'm drawn to his kindness.
That's why there are difficult moments.
"Eh? Tadayuki, are you being nice to other girls again? You cheater!"
"Hey, your choice of words..."
Yanashima Kanae interjected between the two.
Yanashima-san is bright, charming, and lovely.
Even from a woman's perspective, Misa think she is an attractive person.
According to rumors, it seems that Higashimura-kun and Yanashima-san are dating.
On that point, rather than feeling jealous of Yanashima-san, she had a rather favorable impression. To be blunt, if she were to compare Kato-kun and Higashimura-kun, it seems that many girls would choose Kato-kun.
However, she chooses Higashimura-kun. She could sense Yanashima-san's goodness in that choice.
But, if, in Tokyo, she could attend the same school as Higashimura-kun, and if Higashimura-kun and Yanashima-san were to break up in a long-distance relationship—could there be a chance for me? She thought to herself.
Even though she thought such thoughts were inappropriate, she kept them in her heart as a faint dream.
"Hey, Yoshino-san, do you like Tadayuki?"
After school, Misa was called out by Kato-kun, and he suddenly asked her.
"Eh, well, it's not like I like him or anything, it's not like that..."
"Sure, sure, I get it. But, you know, I think Tadayuki might find it impossible. He's been devoted to Kanae since he was little."
"..."
Why bother saying such things?
The intention was unclear, but....
"I really, really like you, Yoshino-san. Please go out with me."
"Eh..."
It was the first confession from the opposite sex.
Startled and bewildered, Kato suddenly hugged her.
"Hey, hey, stop that."
"Please...go out with me."
Managing to push him away, she fled.
* * *
"You were hugging Kato yesterday, weren't you?"
When Mizuno Shoko showed her the events from yesterday on her phone, her mind went blank.
"What do you think Higashimura-kun will say if he sees this?"
"Eh, please, stop that."
"Sorry, already sent it♪"
"Eh..."
Later, Higashimura-kun, who seemed to have seen the image, mentioned it.
"Apparently, I heard you're dating Takashi? Despite his demeanor, he's not a bad guy, so be good to him."
It seems Kato-kun is spreading the rumor that he's in a relationship with her. After being approached several times, she couldn't refuse and ended up accepting the relationship. There was also a calculation that being with him might help her forget about Higashimura-kun.
Around the time of going to college, a somewhat forceful act led to pregnancy. Concerned about societal norms, her parents canceled her college plans and pushed for marriage with Takashi. Thanks to her parents' connections, Takashi easily found a job.
After that, their son, Junji, was born. Takashi cared for Junji, worked hard, and became a kind and loving father. Despite everything, she convinced herself that she was happy.
Occasionally, Higashimura-kun, who returned from Tokyo, visits them. As a friend's wife and a former classmate, she interacts normally, but seeing him brings back memories of what she lost, making it a bit painful.
As Takashi's wife, it felt weird to keep calling herself Yoshino-san forever, so he started calling her "Misa-chan." She felt happy as the distance between them seemed to shorten due to this slight change.
However, upon realizing such emotions... she couldn't help but feel guilty and self-disappointed towards Takashi and their son simultaneously.
After they had been married for a while, one night, thinking she was already asleep, Takashi was on the phone saying something outrageous, in a somewhat joking manner.
"Heck, I just wanted to fool around with a serious-looking woman, but she ends up getting pregnant."
"And besides, the reason I wanted her wasn't me, but I was irritated that she's in love with Tadayuki, not me. Isn't that weird? That's just messed up."
"Well, her family's rich. If I end up taking over her family's company eventually, I can pick any woman I want, right?"
"Seriously, she's like a dull person. I don't know if she's capable of studying, but since she's not going to college anymore, I want her to study at night."
Because of this man, she gave up on her education and love. Even her modest dream of attending the same university as Higashimura-kun was snatched away. That's the way things are said. Unforgivable.
She has to do something about this man— And so, the hatred towards Takashi began to grow from this day.
But just holding onto such emotions is painful. More than anything, she feels sorry for Junji.
Regardless of the circumstances, Misa deeply loves her son. She must protect this child, no matter what.
That's why, if the hatred towards Takashi grows any further and crosses Misa's limit, will she cross the line and direct these negative emotions towards her son too?
"If only you weren't here."
Will she direct such absurd emotions and words towards him?
If she continues to be with Takashi like this, will she end up changing herself in such a way? Or will she eventually break between hatred and affection? It's scary. Someone, help—
On one such day, Tadayuki called her out saying, "I want to meet you."
She dropped off her son at her parents' house and headed to their meeting spot. She had heard from Takashi that he was getting married. She was planning to attend as well.
Before that, she pondered various reasons why he had called her out. Was he going to consult her about a gift for Yanashima-san? If that's the case, she wouldn't mind helping him choose. Maybe they could even enjoy a little date-like atmosphere.
When she met him at their designated meeting place, he seemed a bit different from the Misa she remembered. He had become more trim, dressed in a stylish urban fashion, and even exuded a certain charm. Despite her efforts to dress as stylishly as possible from her own wardrobe, she couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed standing next to him.
Together, they entered a restaurant with private rooms. Being alone in a private room felt a bit naughty. Misa's slightly elated emotions were quickly doused as if by a bucket of cold water.
What Tadayuki showed her was a video of Takashi and Kanae discussing their outrageous plan. He not only filmed that video at the Kato residence but also, as part of the investigation into their behavior, reportedly hired a detective agency to monitor the two. It seems Yanashima Kanae and Takashi Kato's affair has persisted even after Tadayuki's registration, and he had evidence of it.
"I'm sorry, showing this to Misa-chan... I guess I should endure it alone, but I can't bear this alone..."
Perhaps due to her ignorance of romantic matters, she learned about their relationship for the first time at this moment. She felt such intense hatred that she wanted to kill someone for the first time. Not towards Takashi, who betrayed her.
But to Yanashima Kanae.
Believing that what she gave up on obtaining could be unconditionally obtained, she despised it, treated it with contempt, and didn't cherish it. Even though she believed she was attracted to the same man. Even though she resigned herself, thinking it couldn't be helped.
Because of that, he wears such a sorrowful expression──.
She can never forgive this woman. The more she felt sympathy, the deeper the hatred grew.
"So...there's something I want to ask Misa-chan."
"Sure. I'll help you, Higashimura-kun. Just tell me anything."
Without hesitation, she replied instantly. He, who had become much cooler than before, spoke to her in the same gentle voice as always.
"I, I just can't forgive those two."
"Yeah."
"So, Misa-chan, will you become my... partner in revenge? I want you to help me. This is a request that only you, Misa-chan, can fulfill..."
"Something that only... I can do? You mean, I'm needed?"
"Yeah, I need you."
As he said this, Tadayuki lightly placed his hand on hers. Perhaps he didn't have any ulterior motives beyond asking her for help.
But just by feeling the warmth of his hand, she pledged in her heart that she would help him, even if it meant giving up everything.
It's obvious. She's decided to help. Being Higashimura-kun's partner in revenge... it's a far sweeter sound than going to university together.
She can become something 'special' to him.
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