Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 31: The Dozing Detective and Friend A : Extra: The Case Files of Isaka & Utagata

Episode 31: The Dozing Detective and Friend A :

Extra: The Case Files of Isaka & Utagata

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Isaka.” It was three o’clock sharp, in the plaza near the station.

Isaka, sitting on a bench, heard the familiar voice behind him.

“Not long at all—five minutes tops,” he replied. As expected, Utakata wasn’t dressed in the usual loungewear she wore in the clubroom.

He wore a cap, a T-shirt with a simple logo, and jeans—an effortlessly casual and stylish unisex outfit.

Although she looked mature enough, something about her retained an undeniable air of youthfulness.

“Oh? Playing it cool and saying you weren’t waiting? That’s quite the gentlemanly move.”

“Well, I do try to be the air-reading type. Thanks for coming out today despite the trouble.”

Isaka stood from the bench and bowed deeply.

“I had errands anyway. Once we’re done with your request, I’ll stop by the Nokémon Shop. Jealous? You must be jealous.”

Utakata puffed out her chest and exhaled sharply through her nose. This, too, was one of her oddly childlike quirks.

“You’re really into that, huh?” “Anyway,” he said, getting back to the matter at hand, “no sign of the professor yet.”

The reason they were there was simple: to uncover the professor’s preferences and leverage that information for academic credits.

It was the first step in their plan: figure out what the professor liked. “Strange. According to my data, he usually meets someone here on weekends,” Utakata noted.

“Maybe he had other plans today,” Isaka said, scanning the plaza again. Still no sign of the professor.

“But why are you doing this?” Utagata asked. “You’re not the type to struggle academically.”

“Well, it’s partly because some of my friends are idiots, and if they flunk, it’ll be a pain for me too.”

But that wasn’t the real reason. “There’s a lot of gossip about Professor Kariya in the Economics Department, right?”

“Oh?”Associate Professor Masamichi Kariya, who taught economic sociology, was in his early forties.

He was tall and well-regarded by students for his kind demeanor.

However, the rumors about him were less than flattering.

“Have you heard the one about him being a serious womanizer? There’s even talk of him getting students pregnant and abandoning them.”

Utakata raised a single finger.

“To clarify, that’s not just a rumor. It’s a fact. It’s happened three times over the past decade.”

“Seriously?” “Do you doubt me? I’m a detective. Just by looking into someone’s eyes, I can see their true nature.”

“Fascinating,” Isaka said, marveling at the claim.

“If you’re wondering whether I can read your true nature, you’re thinking, ‘No way she can figure me out.’ Am I wrong?”

“Impressive,” Isaka admitted. She was spot on.

“Though your true nature is hard to discern, it’s only a matter of time… Oh, speak of the devil. There he is.”

Utakata’s gaze shifted, her pupils constricting briefly as if locking onto her target.

Following her line of sight, Isaka spotted Professor Kariya—and a young woman who appeared to be a university student—walking together.

“Looks like the rumors were true.” “Did you doubt me?”

“Well, I’m a skeptic. I don’t believe anything until I see it with my own eyes.”

“That doesn’t make you a skeptic. It makes you a realist.”

“Whatever you call it, let’s move.”

“Yes, let’s begin the tailing.” Kariya and his companion entered a large seaside shopping mall a short walk from the station.

It consisted of three main buildings and was a popular local attraction.

The central street between the two seven-story East and West wings was lined with cafes, boutiques, and restaurants.

Looking up, they could see interconnected walkways and, higher still, a lattice skylight.

“Wow, this place is incredible. Oh, there’s even an arcade!”

“Utakata-san, are you seriously getting excited about an arcade at your age?”

“I-I’m not excited!” “Then let’s keep moving.”

Maintaining a 15-meter distance, they blended into the crowd.

Moving closer was risky—Isaka’s blond hair already stood out, and Utagata’s stark white hair was even more conspicuous.

“Where do you think they’re heading?”

“Most likely the luxury brand area on the fourth floor of the East Wing. You can tell by the woman’s expensive outfit and accessories.”

“Good observation.” Just as Utakata predicted, they stopped at a café before heading to the fourth floor.

“Well, it is three o’clock. Do you know what that means, Isaka?”

“Snack time. Got it.” “We instinctively associate three o’clock with snacks, but did you know that tradition dates back to the Edo period…”

“Interesting. I didn’t know—” Suddenly, Kariya stopped and half-turned, scanning his surroundings.

“Excuse me for a moment, Utagata-san.”

“Huh?!” Before she could react, Isaka grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close, shielding her with his body.

“W-What’s happening?!” “Kariya might have noticed us. My blond hair is one thing, but if he spotted you, it could raise his guard.”

“I-I see. That’s serious.”

Kariya continued to glance around but eventually entered the café with his companion.

He was cautious enough to suspect he was being watched.

“What now? If we go inside, he might notice us for sure.” “True. But waiting out here isn’t ideal either,” Utagata said.

“Why not?” Before she could answer, her stomach growled audibly.

“You didn’t eat lunch, did you?”

“I did. A Snickers.” Her stomach growled again. The aroma of food from nearby eateries must have been too much for her empty stomach.

“That’s not a meal. Fine, let’s grab a bite too.” “But…” “No buts. My treat. Let’s go.” Reluctantly, Utagata agreed, and they followed Kariya into the café.

The café’s retro ambiance was cozy and inviting.

“What would you like to order?” a cheerful waitress asked, holding a notepad.

“I’ll have an iced café latte. Utagata-san?” “W-Wait! I’m deciding!”

After deliberating between omelets and pancakes, Utagata finally chose.

“I’ll have the pancake set, with cocoa.” “Understood. What a cute little sister you have,” the waitress said before leaving.

“Your thoughts on that, Utagata-san?” “Hmph. I’m older, you know…”

As their drinks arrived, Utagata, happily munching her pancakes, asked, “By the way, Isaka, what’s your relationship with Uka?”

“Just friends.” “Really? Not a childhood friend or secret lover?”

“Why do girls always think like that? No, I’m not into guys either.”

“Hmm. Still, it’s rare to go to such lengths for a friend. You don’t strike me as the sentimental type.”

“Maybe you just don’t know me well enough. I’m a good guy, really.”

“Let’s leave it at that,” Utagata said, smirking as she returned to her pancakes.

Suddenly, a shrill voice cut through the café.

“You were just playing with me?!” Glancing over, they saw Kariya’s companion storming out, tears streaming down her face.

“Drama,” Isaka remarked. “Indeed,” Utakata agreed.

Kariya, unbothered, calmly finished his coffee and stood to leave.

“Utakata-san, do something to distract him.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” “Just trust me.”

Utakata dropped an earbud onto the floor, allowing it to roll toward Kariya.

As she moved to retrieve it, Isaka brushed past Kariya, subtly pocketing the professor’s phone.

“Did you just…?” Utakata whispered, wide-eyed.”Relax. I’ll return it later,” Isaka said, unlocking the phone with practiced ease.

Isaka Akira—a man shrouded in mystery, even to himself. This is the story of a young man and a girl on the path to falling in love.