Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 35: The Drowsy Detective and the Confession

Episode 35: The Drowsy Detective and the Confession

The story begins with a shopping trip, roughly two hours earlier.

Before heading out to shop for clothes, Akira was heading to a certain location: an electronics store.

As he passed through the automatic doors, the cool air from the air conditioning instantly cooled the sweat clinging to his back. At the same time, a female store clerk approached him.

“Welcome. What are you looking for today?”“Do you have any wireless lapel microphones  that are as small as possible? Preferably something that could fit in a small pouch.”

“Uh, we do… maybe something like this?”

The female clerk, her face slightly strained, pointed to the bottom shelf. It was indeed a good size, small enough to fit perfectly.

“J-just to confirm, may I ask what you’ll be using it for?” She seemed to be suspicious, likely suspecting eavesdropping.

“Oh, I’m shooting a movie. I need one that’s small enough to be inconspicuous when attached to a costume.”

“Ah, I see,” she replied. It seemed she bought the story. In reality, though, the real purpose  was indeed for eavesdropping.

“Thank you for your purchase. Please visit us again.”

“Thanks.” After leaving the store, Akira went to shop for clothes. He picked out a complete outfit displayed on a mannequin without much thought.

As he walked along the sidewalk toward the university, he took out his smartphone.

“Hello, Rei?” The person on the other end was Rei. Akira figured there was a fifty-fifty chance he’d answer, but the call connected in less than three rings.

“Yeah, what is it, Akira?” “I figured it out—the professor’s favorite thing.”

He didn’t actually know, but that didn’t matter at the moment.

“Really?” “Apparently, he’s a fan of baked goods. And conveniently, he’s on campus today.”

“Got it. In that case, I’ll give it to him today.”

“Yeah, but it’d be better to go after four. He’s busy with exam-related work, so you won’t be able to enter his lab before then.”

“Okay, got it. Thanks for letting me know.” “No, I should be thanking you… and, sorry.”

“Huh? For what?” Akira didn’t answer and ended the call. He wasn’t in the mood to explain further.

With this, he had a backup plan. If anything happened, Rei would step in to help Utakata. Additionally, by giving her a charm containing the lapel microphone and keeping an eye on things from nearby, he could prevent the worst-case scenario.

“Well then, time to hand it over… no, one more thing to set up first.”

…“Damn. I forgot to lock the door.”

Kariya sharply glared at Rei and released Utakata’s hand.

Utakata quickly moved away and hid behind Rei.

“Ah, you must be… Ubagane-kun, correct? Your surname is uncommon, so I remembered it. If I recall, you’ve taken my class, right? Judging by that package, you must be here to negotiate for credits directly.”

Kariya smirked. “Now, how about this? If you promise not to tell anyone what you’ve seen here, I’ll give you credit for this term. Moreover, I’ll put in a good word for you with other professors until you graduate. I can even help with job placement.”

Sweet words.

“Ubuka!” “I get it… But do you really think that would work on me? Even if you gave me five trillion yen, there’s no way I could forgive someone as despicable as you.”

Despite the anger in his words, Ubuka’s profile was as cold as ice. It was enough to make even the observer freeze.

“And what will you do? Will the two of you report me? Surely you realize what would happen to you, don’t you?”

Kariya’s gaze shifted to Utakata. His eyes were simultaneously questioning and threatening.

“Utakata-san, could you step outside for a moment? I’m not really the kind of guy who likes to show this side of myself to others.”

“What’s this? Are you planning to resort to violence? That won’t end well for you. You’d face expulsion.” Kariya reached into the cupboard and pulled out a letter opener.

“I don’t care about that. People like you, who think they can walk away unscathed, are the ones I can’t stand the most. Utakata-san.”

“Y-Yeah. I’ll leave it to you.” Utakata sensed he had to let Ubuka handle this. He stepped out of the lab without resistance.

“…Phew.” The moment he entered the hallway, Utakata’s legs gave out. Unable to stand, he slumped to the floor.

That was when a familiar figure appeared—an easygoing-looking young man with golden hair.

“Rough day, huh, Utakata-san?” “I-Isaka!”

“Glad I made it in time. You must’ve been scared. Didn’t I tell you not to trust—”

Before he could finish, Utakata got to his feet and leaped into Isaka’s chest, clutching his shirt tightly.

“I-I was so scared!”

Still clinging to Isaka, Utakata pressed his tear-streaked face into his shoulder.

“You really should be thanking Rei for this.”

Still shaken, Utakata remained silent, holding onto Isaka’s clothes as if his life depended on it. “Looks like it’s about time,” Isaka muttered.

Five minutes later, the lab door opened.

“…Phew. Oh, Akira, you’re here too?” Rei emerged unscathed. It seemed things had gone as expected.

“Yeah. As much as I’d like to get credit for this term, I thought I’d have a word with the professor myself. Where is he?”

“Oh, that creep? Right here.” Rei dragged Kariya out of the lab.

His face was swollen, his clothes shredded beyond recognition, leaving him barely dressed. He looked as if he’d been mauled by a bear.

“Akira, this was your doing, wasn’t it?” “…Who knows what you’re talking about?”

“Playing dumb, huh? Well, I don’t care about the details. Anyway, where should we dump this guy?”

“Who knows? The administration office, maybe?” “Let’s start there.”

“Utakata-san, are you okay now?” Still clinging like a frightened kitten, Utakata was addressed gently.

“W-Wait. My legs gave out… I can’t walk.”

“Alright then…” Isaka wrapped his right arm under Utakata’s legs and his left around his shoulders, effortlessly lifting him up.”H-Hey!” “There we go.”Utakata’s body was surprisingly light.”H-Hey, Isaka! I didn’t agree to this! A p-princess carry?!”

Oh, right. This position had a name, didn’t it? While thinking that, Isaka looked at Utakata, who, despite her protests, was as docile as a lamb.

“W-What?” “Want to walk, then? You’ve been wearing unfamiliar heels, and your feet must hurt.”

“Ugh… That’s unfair. How am I supposed to argue with that?”

Carrying Utakata, Isaka, Rei, and their disheveled cargo headed to the administration office.

“Excuse me. Could we have a moment?”

“Y-Yes? What can I… Huh!?” Chaos erupted near the office plastered with job recruitment posters. Assistants panicked, and soon, more than ten staff members gathered around.

At first, many criticized Rei’s violent actions. But with Isaka’s prepared recordings, Kariya’s smartphone data, and various pieces of evidence, the tide turned.

The final blow came from Utakata’s words—just two sentences.

“──You can punish Ubuka if you like, but given the lack of witnesses, there’s no concrete proof he laid a hand on Kariya, is there?”

“──And besides, Kariya’s actions were so outrageous that it’s hard to believe the school wasn’t already aware of them. If we hadn’t exposed this, it would’ve continued. If you still want to punish Ubuka, then we’ll take further action ourselves.”

With that, the matter was settled. The school agreed not to pursue Ubuka further in exchange for silence about what had happened.

As for Kariya, he would face the school’s disciplinary measures.

A masterstroke, worthy of a famous detective. Two sentences flipped the situation and secured their victory. Perhaps Utakata should consider becoming a lawyer.

Still, Rei and Isaka’s words wouldn’t have carried the same weight. Only Utakata, known as a legendary detective, could achieve such an outcome.

“So… when are you going to get down?”

After the discussion ended, Kariya was taken away by staff, and Rei went his own way. Yet Utakata still clung to Isaka’s arms as they reached the clubroom.

“I was embarrassed at first, but I’m getting used to it. It’s surprisingly comfortable.”

“…Alright, down you go.” Isaka loosened his grip, letting Utakata’s feet find the ground.

“W-Whoa!” Despite the dramatic exclamation, Utakata landed gracefully. Watching this, Isaka turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” “Home. Today’s been exhausting.”

“Liar. You’re heading somewhere else, aren’t you? Fine, I’ll come with you.” Her voice trembled slightly. She likely didn’t want to be alone yet. If only she’d admit it outright.

“…Do what you want, but you won’t enjoy it.” Isaka climbed the emergency stairs instead of descending them, reaching the rooftop.

“I’m going to smoke. Is that okay?” “Go ahead.” “Alright, then.”

He pulled out a cigarette, a leftover from last winter, and lit it. Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly, watching the smoke dissolve into the already fading sunlight.

It was 5:30 p.m. The sunset-stained sky looked like smudged paint, almost surreal. Isaka loved this time of day.

“Can I ask you something?” “I’ll answer until I finish this cigarette.” “Then, why do you care so much about Ubuka?” “In short, he’s the first person to ever beat me.”

“Haha.” Utakata stifled a laugh. “What’s so funny?” “It’s just… someone as mysterious as you suddenly sounding like a character in a boys’ manga.”

“…I shouldn’t have answered.” “Don’t say that. By the way, I have another question. If Ubuka hadn’t made it in time, what would you have done? Surely, you had a backup plan.”

“…Who knows? I had a few ideas, but talking about what-ifs isn’t productive.”

“So you were ready to step in yourself?” “I never said that.”

Well, it was one of the options. “Hmm, interesting. Are you embarrassed?”

“Ugh, how annoying.” Isaka sighed audibly, focusing again on the horizon. His cigarette, now mostly ash, dwindled in the breeze.

“──Almost done. Alright, final question, Isaka.” Utakata took a deep breath, preparing to speak. But before she could, Isaka cut her off.

“No thanks. I refuse.” “Wait, why?!”

“Because you’re just going to ask me to be your assistant again, right? No thanks. Not happening… Wait, what’s with that face?”

Utakata pouted like a sulking child, her lips forming a tiny duckbill. “It’s not that. Just listen, Isaka.”

“…Fine. What is it?” She fidgeted nervously, pressing her index fingers together. “Ugh, hold on. I need to prepare myself.””Take your time, but my cigarette’s almost done.”

“A-Alright! Fine!” Utakata grabbed Isaka’s left hand, opened her mouth wide, and finally declared:

“──I want you to be my boyfriend.” At the same moment, the cigarette burned out, dropping its ashes.

“Huh? You’ve got the wrong guy.” To think it would turn out like this. Life truly is full of surprises. That’s what Isaka thought.