Returnee from Another World - Zetro Translation

Chapter 56: Suspicion on the Prefectural Assemblyman

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I was at L’OASI, the high-end cabaret club run by Yasunaga of the Hayashi-do gang. It wasn’t for drinks. I’d gone to Ando Finance’s office to gather intel, only to hear from President Takayanagi that Yasunaga had just left to meet an important client at L’OASI. Sure enough, as I entered, I spotted Yasunaga in the back, chatting with someone. Sayaka Hojo, the club’s top hostess, was with them, signaling the guest’s importance.

The man, in his late forties or early fifties, looked vaguely familiar—maybe a case of mistaken identity. Yasunaga’s deferential attitude suggested he was someone significant. Sayaka, after a brief word from the manager, excused herself and approached me.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting? I was with another client,” Sayaka said, sitting beside me.

I’d declined a hostess when I arrived, saying I’d drink alone until Sayaka was free. The manager must’ve relayed that.

“Just got here,” I said.

“Good. Want something else to drink?” she asked.

“No, I’m fine with the house bottle. Order whatever you like, though,” I replied.

Saying I was fine with the house bottle might sound cheap, but I was just being cautious around Yasunaga. I always offered to pay, but he insisted on covering it. I’d told Sayaka I hadn’t been into alcohol much since returning. Still, she suggested other drinks, knowing I occasionally enjoyed sweet liqueurs or cocktails. Maybe my taste changed because I couldn’t feel the alcohol’s kick. Cocktails, which I used to dislike, now tasted better—like juice. I only drank for socializing or appearances. No matter what I drank, I couldn’t get drunk; it was just something to quench my thirst.

“May I order a Kurokirishima?” Sayaka asked.

“Sure. Looks like you’ve got an important client over there,” I said.

“Yes, about that…” Sayaka hesitated.

Her hesitation was obvious. The pink [Love] aura flared when she saw me, but a smoldering black [Disgust] lingered, hinting at something complicated.

“If it’s not something to discuss openly, we can talk privately later,” I said.

“Well, it’s not exactly a secret. The client is Seichirou Kusunoki, the one I mentioned before,” she said.

“Oh, right. The one in the same hospital room as Kaede-chan. And, uh, the name was…” I trailed off.

“Yuki Sato,” Sayaka supplied.

“Right, Yuki Sato. The guy in the accident with Kenjirou Kusunoki, Seichirou Kusunoki’s brother, right?” I confirmed.

“Yes,” she nodded.

That explained it. As a prefectural assemblyman, Seichirou Kusunoki’s face might’ve appeared on news or election posters, which could explain the familiarity. It made sense why his name rang a bell.

“Must be complicated. Regardless of the truth, it’s hard to feel neutral about someone suspected of bribing witnesses in a fatal accident involving someone you know,” I said.

“If it were just that, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I didn’t have a good impression of him to begin with,” Sayaka said.

“Oh? There’s more?” I asked.

“It seems Seichirou Kusunoki arranged to meet Yasunaga-san to make a request. They already discussed the details earlier, so they didn’t say much here, but the vibe suggested as much,” she explained.

“For someone like Yasunaga-san to be sought out, it’s probably that kind of deal. But trouble’s par for the course with those types, isn’t it?” I said.

“That’s the thing. I overheard them mention the name ‘Sato’ a few times,” Sayaka said.

My hand, stirring the ice in my highball with a muddler, froze.

“Hm, Sato… That’s a bit suspicious,” I said.

“Do you think they were talking about the Sato couple too, Masuda-san?” Sayaka asked.

“Can’t say for sure. Sato’s a common name. Have you been in touch with the Satos recently?” I asked.

“I spoke with them briefly over the phone. They’re still looking for new witnesses near the accident site,” she said.

If the Satos were persistently digging into the accident, they could be a nuisance to Seichirou Kusunoki, who might be planning something. Extortion or abduction seemed possible; I hoped murder wasn’t on the table, but those in power could do anything to protect themselves. I’d seen enough in that world to abandon naive notions about what people like him wouldn’t do.

Still, making a bold move risked media exposure, which could ruin him. Even for his brother, would he take that chance? He might be bold enough to believe he could cover it up without evidence. Or maybe, after bribing witnesses post-accident, he was too deep to back out.

Either way, it wasn’t my concern. I felt no sympathy for the Satos, just as I hadn’t when we met in the hospital.

“I see. Honestly, it’s best not to get involved. Your sense of justice could put you in danger,” I advised.

“You mean I should stay out of it?” Sayaka asked.

“It sounds cold, but yes. You’re not that close to them, right? Just shared a hospital room with their kid,” I said.

“True, but…” she trailed off.

“If it’s really bothering you, I can handle it. Don’t expect too much, though. Asking Yasunaga-san too much would raise suspicions, and I can only make small talk,” I offered.

“Masuda-san…” Sayaka said, placing her hand gently on my knee, a white [Trust] aura surfacing.

It wasn’t just for her. While I felt nothing for the Satos, Seichirou Kusunoki was different.

As we drank and talked, it seemed Yasunaga’s hospitality toward Seichirou Kusunoki wrapped up. He passed close to our table, heading for the exit, with Yasunaga bowing him out. After Seichirou left L’OASI, Yasunaga turned and approached us.

“Sorry, Masuda-san. Had a guest to attend to,” Yasunaga said.

“No worries,” I replied.

“So, what brings you here today?” he asked.

“Nothing major. I know it’s a bit early, but I stopped by Ando Finance and did some business with Takayanagi-san. He mentioned you were here, so I thought I’d drop by,” I explained.

“I see. Thank you. Early is fine by us—much appreciated,” Yasunaga said.

“Glad to hear it. I might come by again soon, then,” I said.

“We’ll be waiting. I’ll let Takayanagi know. Oi! Bring a fruit platter to this table!” Yasunaga called.

“Sorry to make you go out of your way. By the way, that was a prefectural assemblyman, right?” I asked.

“Oh, you noticed? Yes, Seichirou Kusunoki, the assemblyman,” Yasunaga confirmed.

“I see. You’re handling business with those circles too,” I noted.

“Yes, we’ve been fortunate to take on various jobs,” he said.

“Thriving business—enviable. But…” I paused, letting my words hang.

“But what?” Yasunaga prompted.

“No, my apologies. I’ve heard some things about him. Sounds like he’s crossing some dangerous bridges,” I said.

“Even your organization knows?” Yasunaga asked.

“Not like a double-booking issue, so don’t worry. More like the police might be involved,” I clarified.

“The police… Is that true?” he asked.

“Just rumors. I don’t know if the police are actually watching him or what he’s done. We’ve got no solid info,” I said.

“I see. Thanks for the heads-up, Masuda-san,” Yasunaga said.

“Happy to help,” I replied.

I threw out a vague warning to keep him in check. If their deal was already set, Yasunaga wouldn’t back out over this. But he’d likely play it safer. Even if the Sato issue was unrelated, anyone seeking Yasunaga’s help probably had skeletons in their closet.

“Guess trusting Akuzawa with this might be risky,” Yasunaga muttered.

Despite my presence, he let his thoughts slip. Pretending not to hear, I reached for the highball on the table.