Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 146: Strategy Meeting. Part- 1

Strategy Meeting. Part- 1

“Ahem… Allow me to compose myself and continue.”

Nishikawa-san, regaining her posture, began to speak again.

Everyone turned their attention to her, waiting for the continuation.

…It seemed that Sara had no intention of stepping away.

“First, regarding the results of the investigation into Yamazaki and our response to it, I propose that we continue the discussion in the car. Frankly, the content of the report is not something we can openly discuss.”

It might have sounded exaggerated, but considering the possibility that the matter could potentially wipe out an entire company, perhaps such caution was necessary.

“Please be advised,” Nishikawa-san continued, “the content includes matters that could be especially unpleasant for the women here. However, I trust everyone understands what we are dealing with, so I will proceed.”

With that, footage was displayed on the car’s monitor — a so-called “social gathering” that was, in truth, little more than a matchmaking party.

The video showed Yamazaki orchestrating entertainment, promoting the arrangement of questionable female companionship to the male attendees — and disturbingly, the involvement of high school girls.

“Hmm…? Could you rewind that a bit… There, pause it. Kazunari, look at this girl.”

Hayato, seemingly noticing something, asked to rewind the footage slightly and pointed at one of the girls.

She looked… somehow familiar.

“She’s the girl who was with Sasagawa Yuzuha when we met at the tournament.”

That’s right — when I was speaking with Yuzuha, Hayato had been idly chatting with another girl.

“I don’t know if she’s directly involved, but it’s clear that Yamazaki brought her.”

It seemed likely. Yuzuha probably had no knowledge of the company’s affairs, and it was hard to imagine she was deeply involved.

“This concludes my report. Based on the facts currently uncovered, it would be entirely possible to dismantle Yamazaki’s company. I will inform my father that the Nishikawa Group will sever all ties. Given Yamazaki’s already precarious finances, this would be enough to collapse them. Alternatively, we could pursue criminal charges.”

In other words, no matter which path we took, Yamazaki was finished.

But that alone wouldn’t satisfy us — it wouldn’t feel like we had made him truly pay.

I glanced at Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san. Our eyes met, and we all nodded slightly, sharing the same thought.

“…Hehe, judging by your faces, I see we are all reluctant to let him off so easily. Truth be told, I, too, would not be satisfied unless Yamazaki Kazuma is made to suffer directly. For a man like him to mock me… I intend to make him regret it thoroughly.”

At that moment, I must have worn quite the wicked expression — because Nishikawa-san, Hanako-san, and Tachikawa-san all wore similar looks.

It was then that Sara raised her voice.

“Before anything else, allow me to say this — I have something I must personally tell Sasagawa Yuzuha. I understand that she, too, was manipulated by Yamazaki. However, that does not excuse her trampling on Kazunari-san’s kindness and causing him pain. I have no intention of letting that go unaddressed.”

Sara’s anger was clearly for my sake.

But even so, I wished she would stay her usual gentle self — always smiling, always kind.

And besides, settling things with Yuzuha… was my responsibility.

“Sara-san… I…”

“I understand what you want to say,” she interrupted gently. “I know you, kind as you are, would not want me to harbor such resentment. I, too, dislike showing this side of myself to you. But even so, there are words that I must say to Sasagawa Yuzuha.”

Sara spoke with sorrow in her voice.

Why was I making her feel this way?

My role should be to accept her, no matter what.

Without letting her say more, I pulled Sara into a strong embrace.

“I love you, Sara-san — no matter what. And the anger you feel now… it’s for me, isn’t it? Your kindness means you’re angry on my behalf. It might sound improper, but… that makes me happy.”

She had always been the one supporting me — so this time, I…

Chuu…

I pressed a kiss against her cheek.

Come to think of it, this was probably the first time I initiated a kiss.

Even after it happened, the thought made me nervous.

When I looked at Sara’s face… yes, the phrase “as red as an apple” fit her perfectly.

“Kazunari-san… Meeting you was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I love you… I truly, truly love you.”

Chuu…

Sara kissed my cheek in return.

Then, with teary, shining eyes, she looked at my lips, gently pressed her finger against them, and whispered:

“…Please… I want my first to be from you…”

Her face was crimson as she said it.

Of course, I understood exactly what she meant.

Surely, my own face was just as red as hers.

“Achoo!! Ah… darn it…”

…?

I heard Hanako-san’s voice.

Wait… where are we again?

I slowly lifted my eyes…

“Sara… Sara’s already so far ahead… while I…”

“Pull yourself together! Our story is just beginning!”

Nishikawa-san was muttering and being shaken by Natsumi-senpai.

“I thought I was going to get diabetes from all that sweetness.”

“Maybe it’s time for Takanashi-kun to forget the misfortunes of his middle school years.”

“Haha… But honestly, I’m envious. It must be wonderful to have someone love you so deeply.”

Hanako-san, Tachikawa-san, and Toudou-san were chatting animatedly.

“Kazunari’s still a hero, huh?”

“Well, he’s the guy who confessed not only in front of Natsumi-senpai but also in front of Satsukawa-senpai’s mother.”

“What?! Why have I never heard this?!”

Those two… Are they bonding over my embarrassing history?

“Ahem — thanks to our two lovebirds, the discussion has once again veered off course… and it feels like we lost all seriousness.”

Nishikawa-san, now somewhat recovered, resumed the conversation.

Though thanks to us, the serious atmosphere had completely dissipated.

“I’m sorry…”

“Kazunari-san, we have done nothing wrong—”

Sara tried to defend me, but if we kept this up, the conversation would stall again. So, instead, I gently patted her head.

She gave a small nod and, leaning lightly against me, sat quietly to join the discussion.

“…You two really are hopelessly affectionate. Fine, let’s move on.”

Nishikawa-san once again took charge and resumed from where we had left off.

She then turned her gaze to me, seeking my opinion first.

“As for Yamazaki, while ending him through Nishikawa-san’s influence is possible, it wouldn’t be enough. I believe Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san feel the same. If Nishikawa-san also shares this sentiment… then the best course of action is to summon Yamazaki and confront him directly.”

At my words—

“No objections!”

“We’ll crush him completely…”

Tachikawa-san and Hanako-san voiced their emphatic agreement.

“Very well,” Nishikawa-san said, her smile turning dark. “We’ll corner him thoroughly… and in the end, deliver him an irreversible ruin. That will be his just reward for mocking me.”

Thus, our course regarding Yamazaki was set.

The only thing left was to plan out the exact scenario — the stage upon which his downfall would unfold.