I Was Blackmailed Into Accepting Bullying Using My Childhood Friend as Leverage, But When I Found Out My Friend and Bully Were Together, I Abandoned All Compassion and Swore to Take Revenge with Everything I Had - Chapter 50: Junka Fudo - Extra Edition: Awakened Talent and Those Touched by Hatred (Part 2/2)

Chapter 50: Junka Fudo – Extra Edition: Awakened Talent and Those Touched by Hatred (Part 2/2)

Several years have passed since then.

“Kenichi will be a high schooler next year… Time really flies.”

“Junka-san, you haven’t changed at all.”

Today is my sister’s birthday. Ever since she passed, Kenichi and I have made it a tradition to have a meal together on her birthday.

“Kenichi, you really do resemble your mother… But can’t you do something about that hair? You should keep it a bit tidier.”

Kenichi smiled awkwardly, then shyly began talking about what he’s been into lately.

“Oh? Writing novels as a hobby? Well then, let me take a look! Don’t forget, I’m a professional!”

I was utterly shocked when I read the novel Kenichi had written as a hobby. It was incredible—there was no way a beginner could have created this. The story was captivating, the ideas were fresh, and the characters were all masterfully developed. It was top-tier in every way.

“K-Kenichi? This is…!”

“Well, it’s just a hobby… It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“Kenichi! You have to let me handle this! This is a work that absolutely needs to be published. I swear, I’ll make it happen. Please, leave it to me!”

I was completely smitten with Kenichi’s work. Though he hesitated at first, I managed to persuade him to let me submit it, under the condition that his identity would remain hidden.

“Fudo… are you seriously proposing to publish a book from an unknown author right off the bat?”

“Chief Editor Kanamori! I’m certain this will be a hit! I have complete confidence in it!” 

I said, as Kanamori gave me a sly grin while eyeing me up and down.

“Well… since it’s a special request from you, Junka, I’ll push it with the higher-ups.”

“Thank you so much!”

Kenichi’s book turned out to be a massive success, far exceeding my expectations. It became a social phenomenon, with adaptations into anime, movies, and even merchandise.

“Kenichi, thanks to you, I’ve been promoted to Chief Editor! Now I’m finally on the same level as that bald boss, and I can escape his harassment for good!”

I thanked Kenichi in my own way, and told him that the company president and that sleazy boss wanted to meet him. Kenichi had a few things he wanted to discuss—more like a few things he wanted to coordinate with me.

“First, please say that there’s no blood relationship between me and Junka-san. This is to protect both myself and Junka-san’s family.”

“Next, keep my real name a secret. When I’m ready to reveal it, I’ll do so on my own terms.”

“If I hint that I might sign with another publisher, they’ll likely rush to secure a contract with me. When they do, they’ll probably offer some kind of housing arrangement for me.”

“When that happens, please step in and say that since I’m a minor, I can’t sign personal contracts. Instead, propose that they lend the property to me under the company’s name, with the condition that I publish at least three books a year.”

I understood what Kenichi was asking for, but I couldn’t help but wonder if things would really go as smoothly as he anticipated, especially with two people involved. It seemed unlikely.

However, the meeting went almost exactly as Kenichi had predicted, and everything wrapped up without any issues. I told him I’d stay behind to finish some work at my desk, arranged a taxi from the office, and sent Kenichi home.

A few days later, when I got to the office, one of the female staff members was buzzing with excitement, saying that Fudo-sensei had made a big appearance via video call with the Minister of Education, and it was all over the news.

Not only that, but Kenichi had also revealed details about being bullied at school, which caused an uproar on social media. People were discussing Kenichi’s real name, his school, and even the identities of his bullies, including his former childhood friend, Shizuku, who had betrayed him.

On top of that, it became public that Kenichi had fought back against the bullies, turning the tables on them. This only added to the growing conversation online.

I immediately tried to reach Kenichi, but before I could, my phone rang.

[R-Ring…] Sumie? Why now, of all times…

“Hello? Sumie? Sorry, can I call you back in a minute…? What!? Kenichi collapsed?! …Alright, I’ll call the hospital right now! Get a taxi right away!”

Apparently, Kenichi had collapsed just after leaving school. I quickly contacted a university hospital where I had a connection, avoiding the nearby Iketsuki hospital, and arranged to take Kenichi there immediately.

“Sumie… thank you for everything you’re doing for Kenichi…”

After completing the hospital admission process and returning home, Sumie shared something that left me surprised.

Apparently, Sumie had known about Kenichi for quite some time and even had feelings for him. She used to play with Kenichi’s stepsister often, and though it didn’t happen as much anymore, she also used to play with Kenichi in the past.

Recently, she told me, Kenichi had saved her when she was about to be hit by a car, purely by chance.

Because of that, Sumie was now begging to be allowed to take care of Kenichi while he was in the hospital, looking after his needs.

Kenichi’s words echoed in my head: “I don’t need friends or family.”

I gently patted Sumie on the shoulder and shook my head. I couldn’t see her expression, but she was looking down, muttering something to herself.

However, on the day Kenichi was discharged, Sumie asked me for a favor…

“Sigh… that stubborn, self-centered attitude of yours… I wonder who you get that from…”

Sumie had forced her way into Kenichi’s life by taking a part-time housekeeping job where he lived. I had to vouch for her, claiming she was Kenichi’s cousin, which allowed her to secure a permanent role as his personal housekeeper and successfully move into his living space.

(Is she really that in love with Kenichi…?)

As a mother, I welcomed Sumie’s dedication, but Kenichi’s situation was rather unusual. (Perhaps that’s why he needs someone to support him…)

Later, at Kenichi’s school, there was a gang-related attack. It seemed Kenichi was somewhat involved in the incident, but from what I gathered, he was more of a victim in the situation.

The ongoing media coverage brought the school’s bullying issues to light. Reports revealed that the school had been deliberately protecting the perpetrators, which led to public backlash both within and outside the school. A thorough investigation by government authorities followed, and it was uncovered that the principal and vice principal had been accepting bribes from the parents of the bullies. They were both dismissed and arrested.

Other staff members involved were also either dismissed or demoted.

As for Kenichi…

He was involved in a tragic incident while on a nighttime dinner cruise in Tokyo Bay with the famous writer Minagawa and Kanamori. The cruiser sank, and miraculously, Kenichi was the only one rescued, found drifting in the sea clinging to a life buoy.

After a brief hospital stay for observation, Kenichi informed me that he planned to hold a press conference after his discharge.

“Junka-san, I’ve decided to retire from writing.”

“What? Why? All of a sudden…” 

Kenichi’s expression was calm—there was no confusion, no regret, and yet, no passion in his eyes either.

“If I suddenly announce my retirement to the public, it will cause confusion. So, I’ll present it as a temporary pause in publishing, giving the impression that I’m taking a break. Over time, it will naturally fade away and be forgotten.”

“T-That’s…!”

“And, I’m thinking of transferring ownership of my publishing management company, Ancient Japan, to your husband, if possible.”

“!? Hey, Kenichi! Think this through. I don’t know what’s going on, but your work isn’t to blame. Please reconsider…”

Kenichi’s resolve was firm, and we agreed to continue the conversation after the press conference.

At the press conference, Minagawa and Kanamori’s families were present, and as Kenichi faced cruel accusations like “Murderer!” and “Give us our loved one back!” he calmly and respectfully apologized, bringing the conference to a close.

Shortly after the press conference, Kenichi collapsed again, this time in a more critical condition, leading to an emergency surgery.

The results revealed a blood clot in his brain, which was successfully removed. However, the stress had caused his hair to turn white, and he was left with permanent disabilities in his right hand and left leg, restricting his movement.

I offered Kenichi to come live with me once again, but he declined, explaining that he had already bought a house on a remote island in Okinawa. He had even moved my sister’s remains there, saying he planned to spend the rest of his life quietly by her graveside.

I felt a bit suspicious at how smoothly everything was handled, but around that time, news broke that Kenichi’s cruiser had been recovered, and the bodies of Minagawa and Kanamori were found inside. As the investigation progressed, camera footage and audio from inside the cruiser were analyzed.

It was revealed that Minagawa had threatened Kenichi with a gun, demanding he hand over his unpublished works. Some of this footage and audio was released to the media. During the investigation, it also came to light that Kanamori had been secretly selling works by unknown authors to Minagawa without permission and using his position as an editor-in-chief to cover it up.

The families of Minagawa and Kanamori, who had been publicly blaming Kenichi, suddenly found themselves at the center of harsh public backlash. Minagawa’s family ended up having to sell off all their personal assets, and all of Minagawa’s books were pulled from publication, erasing his status and reputation entirely. Meanwhile, Kanamori’s family, exhausted by the relentless media coverage and harassment, reportedly fled under the cover of night to escape the public eye.

“Mom, I’m heading over to see Kenichi-oniisan! I’ll be there for five days, okay?”

“Sigh… You really are devoted, but from what I see of Kenichi, it doesn’t seem like he’s interested in you.”

“Fufu, that’s fine! I’m happy just as I am.”

“You’re such a sweet girl.”

“Right? It’s so annoying at university, though—guys are constantly hitting on me. But as long as I have Kenichi-oniisan, I don’t need anyone else!”

“Alright, alright… Be careful, okay? Even though it might not help, I’ll put in a good word for you with Kenichi.”

“Thanks! I’m off!”

After seeing my daughter off, I walked to my study and picked up my sister’s medical report…

I took the report outside to the garden, set it on fire, and watched as it burned.

As I gazed up at the rising ashes, I muttered to myself:

“Nee-san… Your son… your death may have awakened an extraordinary talent in him… and…”

“…a bottomless hatred, too. We really are a sinful pair of sisters, aren’t we…”