The Case of Me, a Guy With Zero Dating Experience, Getting Mistaken for a Stalker by the Angel I Fell for at First Sight, Only to End Up Living Together With Her in a Harem Share House With a 1:9 Gender Ratio - Chapter 25: Suspect K (1)

Chapter 25: Suspect K (1)

Thursday evening, just before 5 p.m., a man was intently watching the share house from behind a utility pole.

Wearing a black sports cap pulled low, a large mask, and sunglasses, his appearance was blatantly suspicious.

The man’s name was Kengo Saotome, Sakura’s father, 48 years old.

He was a high school music teacher, and on his way back from a business trip to Tokyo, he decided to check on his daughter unannounced, disguising himself to avoid being noticed.

Since it was a surprise visit, he hadn’t contacted his daughter.

Part of his purpose was to ensure no undesirable suitors were pursuing Sakura, who inherited her mother’s beauty.

Nearly two months had passed since his daughter started university, and he wondered what kind of life she was leading.

More than an hour had already passed, but his daughter still hadn’t returned.

According to her mother, her university classes ended around 3:30 p.m.

Even if she stopped to buy groceries or other items, she should be back by 5 p.m.

(Where’s Sakura dawdling off to?)

He had booked a hotel in Yokohama for the night, planning to stay.

He’d thought about having dinner with his daughter nearby, but he hadn’t told her in advance to preserve the surprise element.

While pondering these thoughts, someone tapped Kengo’s shoulder from behind.

Turning around, he saw a police officer standing there.

Kengo was so startled that he jumped back a step.

“What are you doing here?”

A young officer in his late twenties asked.

“I’m waiting for my daughter to come home.”

“Your daughter?

Why are you hiding behind a utility pole to wait for your daughter?

You’re not a stalker, are you?”

Kengo had no way of knowing that a stalker had recently been causing trouble in the area.

“Officer, it’s true…

My daughter lives in that share house.”

“For now, please show me some identification.

We’ll talk after that.”

As instructed by the officer, Kengo hurriedly reached for his wallet to show his driver’s license, only to realize he’d left it at home since he wasn’t driving today.

“Um, I forgot my license at home and don’t have any ID on me right now.”

Cold sweat beaded on Kengo’s forehead.

“No ID?”

The officer grew even more suspicious.

“We need to hear more details, so please come with us to the police box.”

Kengo’s arms were held by two officers, and he was escorted to a nearby mini-patrol car.

※

Kengo was taken to the police box in front of Hakurindai Station.

In a small room at the police box, questioning began across a desk.

The officers’ name tags read “Kurahashi” and “Shimizu.”

“You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to.

Please be aware that anything you say may be used as evidence, either for or against you.”

Before questioning, Kengo was informed of his right to remain silent and the voluntary nature of his statements.

Officer Kurahashi conducted the questioning.

“Your name?”

“Kengo Saotome.”

“Your age?”

“48 years old.”

“Your address?”

“◯-◯◯ Izumi-Minami, ◯-chome, Akita City, Akita Prefecture.”

“Your workplace?”

“Akita Prefectural Akita Central High School.”

“Your occupation?”

“Music teacher.”

“You’re a teacher, so why were you engaging in stalker behavior?”

“Officer, I haven’t done any stalking.”

“Don’t lie.

Recently, a resident of that share house filed a stalker report.”

“A stalker report, from that share house?”

“If you don’t have ID, call someone who can vouch for your identity to come here.”

“O-Okay, I’ll call now.”

“No, we’ll make the call, so give us the name and phone number.”

Kengo pulled out his flip phone, displayed Sakura’s number from his contacts, and showed it to Officer Kurahashi.

“This is my daughter.

She lives in that share house, so she should come right away.”

Officer Kurahashi noted the number and called from the police box.

“No answer. Does your daughter really live there?”

Sakura had her phone in a locker and couldn’t answer.

“Then, please call my wife.”

She’s in Akita, but she should pick up right away.

However, his wife didn’t answer either.

“No answer. Are you sure this number is correct?”

Officer Kurahashi thought Kengo was making things up.

“If no one can vouch for your identity by tonight, you’ll spend the night at the station.”

(Detention!? No way, me…?

As a teacher, I absolutely can’t have a police record!

What would happen if the school or my wife found out… I wouldn’t be able to face Sakura!)

Feeling the blood drain from his face, Kengo desperately searched for another contact.

(Right, the share house owner…!)

“Officer! This number should connect!”

Clutching at straws, Kengo gave Asuna’s phone number.

“This better be right this time.”

Officer Kurahashi confirmed with Kengo.

“Yes, this time, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

※

Thursday, just past 7 p.m., Café Valencia had passed its peak time, and the staff were taking a moment to relax.

Then, the café’s phone rang.

“Yes, Café Valencia.

Oh, you’re Yuuki-kun’s sister-in-law?

We’re always grateful for your support.

Would you like to speak to Yuuki-kun?”

From the conversation, it seemed the caller was Asuna.

During work, Yuuki kept his phone in a locker to focus on counter duties.

“Huh? Oh, Sakura-chan? Yes, please hold a moment.”

“Sakura-chan, it’s a call from Yuuki-kun’s sister-in-law.”

“Huh, from Asuna-san, for me?”

“Yes, it sounds urgent.”

Misato-mama handed the receiver to Sakura.

“Hello, this is Sakura speaking.”

“Oh, Sakura-chan, sorry to call during work, but it’s urgent.”

Asuna’s voice sounded tense.

“From the police box…?”

Sakura sensed it was serious.

“Yes, they called from the Hakurindai Station police box…

They said a man they caught on suspicion of stalking claims to be your father. Does that ring a bell?”

“Huh, my father was caught for stalking?”

“Yes, they said he was peeking at the share house from behind a utility pole across the street.

He gave his name as Kengo Saotome, 48 years old, according to the officer…”

“That’s probably my father.

But why would he be stalking…?”

Sakura couldn’t imagine her strict father doing such a thing.

“If a reliable person doesn’t show up to vouch for him, he might be detained overnight. What should we do, Sakura-chan?”

“Huh, detained?”

Sakura pictured her father’s face.

He occasionally came to Tokyo for business trips, but she hadn’t heard anything from her mother.

“If it’s really your father, someone needs to vouch for him, or he could be detained.

You should go to the police box to confirm if it’s him.”

“Understood.

I’ll head there as soon as work is done.”

Misato-mama, overhearing the call, sensed it was serious.

“Sakura-chan, did something happen to your father?”

“My father was caught on suspicion of stalking and is being questioned at the station police box.”

“Huh, that’s serious. You need to go right away.”

“Yuuki-kun, go with Sakura-chan now.

Don’t worry about the café.”

Misato-mama told Yuuki, who had overheard nearby.

“Got it. Sakura-san, let’s go.”

The two hurriedly changed and left through the café’s back door.