Chapter 29 Yanashima Kanae, Afterward Part One
"20 million yen!? Tadayuki-kun, isn't this outrageously excessive!?"
Kanae had never heard her father's voice so flustered before.
Three days after the ceremony, Tadayuki came to the Yanashima household to discuss the impending divorce.
Her mother had fallen ill with shock since the day of the ceremony.
Kanae herself felt as if she were no longer alive.
After interrupting the ceremony and returning home, her father became extremely silent, and her siblings berated Kanae.
"What are you thinking?"
"You're a disgrace to the Yanashima family."
The youngest, who had been pampered, received relentless criticism from her siblings.
This was precisely like sitting on pins and needles.
Her smartphone was confiscated once, and since Takashi's contact information was erased, she had no idea what happened to him when he was taken away in an ambulance.
If things had gone as planned, after the wedding, Tadayuki would have returned to Tokyo for a while, while Kanae would have given birth at her parents' home. Once they had a handle on childcare, they were supposed to start their new life in Tokyo.
Her relationship with Takashi, which had been dragging on, was supposed to end here. That was the intention. Besides, the place Tadayuki had planned for their new home far exceeded Kanae's expectations.
Details hadn't been fully disclosed yet, but apparently, Tadayuki had come into quite a fortune. For Kanae, who only knew life in the countryside in Yamaguchi, a wonderful life, almost like something out of a TV drama, was waiting – swelling her heart with such expectations.
Tadayuki seemed to be the ideal husband even from Kanae's perspective.
In appearance, wealth, and his gentle personality.
Above all, he loved Kanae deeply.
Life in Tokyo was supposed to be an ideal life that anyone could boast about──but.
"Oh, is that so? In my mind, it's actually quite cheap."
Tadayuki's cold words pulled Kanae's consciousness, which had been escaping into fantasies, back to reality. In the room were Tadayuki, his father, and Kanae. Even though she wanted to apologize to Tadayuki, her mother, saying so, tried to sit down but immediately slumped. On the table were the divorce papers already filled out by Tadayuki, along with a settlement agreement and its breakdown.
Tadayuki only spoke with her father, completely ignoring herself.
"Well then, let me explain each one. First, the cost of the ceremony is this, the return of the betrothal gift, the transportation and miscellaneous expenses I incurred for the ceremony..."
As he laid out the receipts, Tadayuki explained.
"So, roughly 7 million for this, and since this divorce is due to Kanae's fault this time... the content is malicious, so 5 million as compensation, totaling 12 million. Can you understand this so far?"
"Even so, I think it's exorbitant... but, this separate settlement of 8 million, what's that about?"
"Oh, that? For now, it includes the purchase cost of this as well."
Tadayuki took a USB flash drive from his pocket.
"What's that?"
"Takashi and Kanae, evidence of their affair, the original data. After discussing, Misa-chan has entrusted me with handling it. Well, Mizuno seems to have done something foolish, but... you can complain that on your end."
Shoko is currently in the midst of a major uproar on social media, not answering any calls from friends. Including the incident at the venue, Kanae also wants to express her discontent, but there's not even a read receipt on the messages. Tadayuki continued speaking.
"The video of both of you conspiring in this crime is also included. I will not file a complaint, nor will I claim damages in a civil trial, that's part of this."
Crime. Kanae, unfamiliar with the word, involuntarily stared at Tadayuki's face... but as usual, he didn't attempt to meet her gaze.
"Crime...?"
Her father asked, as if echoing Kanae's feelings.
"Come on, don't play dumb, Uncle Yanashima. This time, it's a splendid──'marriage scam,' right? My family register got tarnished, you know? It's irreversible. Do you understand that?"
"Well, from your perspective, it might feel that way, but..."
"Well, I don't know if they can actually be found guilty, but I intend to file a complaint and, in parallel, reveal their responsibility in a civil trial."
"Tadayuki-kun..."
"I believe this is what Buddha taught, but for the establishment of fraud, three things are necessary to deceive the other party, that is, 'deceptive act,' 'misconception of facts,' and 'transfer of property,' right? I was deceived by saying 'there was a physical relationship,' and as a result, 'she got pregnant,' and I was deceived for the expenses associated with the registration, transportation expenses to see the property, hospital expenses for childbirth, and various other money. Doesn't this qualify as fraud? I don't think it's money I should be paying, originally. Even the betrothal money, returning it doesn't make it okay, right? If I settle, it's not a fraud, right? If that kind of thing goes unnoticed, it's no different from saying 'just pay if you're caught shoplifting,' is it?”
“Well, that's true, but...”
"Ah, considering Uncle Yanashima and Ryuya's profession as police officers, there might be a possibility of causing inconvenience. I don't want to trouble the two who have treated me well. Especially for Ryuya, who is still young, I wouldn't want rumors affecting his future career. If by any chance it was found guilty, Kanae and Takashi don't matter to me, but thinking about the two of you... well?"
"Tadayuki-kun, are you trying to threaten us?"
"No, no, this is just 'my impression.' Or are you subtly hinting at arresting me for attempted intimidation to silence me? That would be an abuse of authority, wouldn't it? Well, if I happen to be found innocent, people might start talking on social media about how the police are too lenient on their own, you know?"
At Tadayuki's words, her father looked astonished. An expression of disdain that even Kanae, who has had a long association with him, has never seen before.
"Tadayuki-kun! Are you really going that far!"
"Uncle, please stop intimidating me with your loud voice. It's scary, you know. By the way, I'm recording this conversation, of course."
"Do whatever you want, it's none of my business!"
"In the first place, isn't it a civic duty for crime victims to report and claim damages in civil cases for the sake of preventing recurrence? I don't want to cause trouble for those who have helped me, so I'm willing to compromise."
This isn't like Tadayuki, speaking so rudely.
"Tadayuki, isn't that an inappropriate way to talk to your father?"
In response to his father's criticism... Tadayuki uttered an unexpected phrase.
"Hey, Yanashima Gouki... seriously, change your ways."
It was a cold, low voice.
If Kanae only heard the voice, she would believe someone completely unknown had said it.
That's how different it was from the Tadayuki that Kanae knew.
"Wait..."
"How long do you intend to treat me like the Tadayuki-kun from the neighborhood who has known me since the old days? Listen up. I'm on the edge. Because of what Takashi and your daughter did, the balance is on the verge of being lost. If you wish, I can go back to being the Tadayuki-kun from the neighborhood anytime. However, that will only happen when you all accept everything I say."
With a thud, he pointed to the settlement agreement, and Tadayuki fell silent.
Her father and Tadayuki continued to exchange glances...
Father suddenly looked down and said, squeezing the words out.
"However, this amount is..."
"I understand. But I won't negotiate anything in the future. Whether you hire a lawyer or do anything else, please think that you can no longer discuss things with me. I will handle things quietly on my own from now on."
Saying that, Tadayuki began to put away the documents.
"Wa-wait a minute, Tadayuki-kun!"
Ignoring her father's call, Tadayuki stood up.
He tried to leave the room.
Kanae's Father, standing up as if to chase after him, grabbed Tadayuki's sleeve and said.
"Got it. I'll do as you say! However, preparing this amount of money right away is impossible!"
For a while, Tadayuki stared at his father's face, then sighed and said, "Hmm."
"Well, then, should you sell this house, borrow money with it as collateral, or retire early and use the retirement bonus to pay? I'll leave the method up to you, but please do it urgently. Let's create a notarized document soon; I'll make a reservation for it, so I'll contact you when it's confirmed."
Tadayuki lined up documents on the table again.
"So, please sign here for today."
After that, it felt surreal. Kanae and her father signed as guarantors at the locations specified by Tadayuki.
When signing the divorce papers, Kanae looked at Tadayuki. However, he seemed bored, resting his chin on his hand and gazing into space.
After the signatures were done, Tadayuki quickly collected the documents and stood up.
"Well then, Uncle Yanashima, I'll be in touch."
Now, alone in the room with her father, Kanae looked at him. Her father was bowed down, looking down.
"That, Dad..."
"Leave me alone for a while..."
Her father said in a strained voice, continuing to look down. Kanae hurriedly stood up and headed to the entrance.
Tadayuki had just finished putting on his shoes, about to leave the house.
"Tadayuki!"
Calling out to his back. Tadayuki──while turning his head slightly in this direction, he didn't fully turn around.
"...What?"
Not thinking about what to say, Kanae squeezed out her voice.
"Um, I, I'm really, sorry..."
"Ah, that's fine, fine. Just pay what you owe."
Waving his hand by his face, Tadayuki left. He didn't even accept her apology.
With the sound of the door slamming shut, Kanae realized.
──She was already, for Tadayuki, a woman not worth having in his sight.
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